Anthony, TX began using GOGov in 2023 to modernize its communication strategy and improve internal workflows. Just over a year later, the town is actively using its branded app, Go Anthony Town TX, to connect with residents, manage everyday updates, and maintain transparency. With a small but mighty team and growing community needs, GOGov's municipal software has become an essential tool for keeping residents informed and operations streamlined.

About Anthony, TX: The Gateway to Texas

Anthony, TX officially became a Home Rule City in March 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in its governance and community development. The town intentionally kept the name "Anthony, TX" to distinguish itself from the neighboring City of Anthony, New Mexico, which often causes confusion.

Situated at the very edge of Texas, Anthony is famously known as the "Leap Year Capital of the World"—a unique claim the town proudly promotes through local initiatives supported by hotel and motel funds. With a population of approximately 5,000 residents, Anthony serves as a gateway to Texas, positioned near well-known border cities like El Paso and Las Cruces, NM.

Originally known as La Tuna, Anthony has a rich cultural heritage and history dating back to its renaming in 1952. Though modest in size, Anthony stands out for its distinct identity, border-town charm, and close-knit community spirit.

The Challenge: Ineffective Municipal Communication Methods

Prior to using GOGov, Anthony, TX relied on Facebook, flyers, and phone calls to share community updates. However, those methods weren't always effective. Not every resident used social media, and important notices—like utility shutoffs or emergency water leaks—weren't reaching the public fast enough. Valerie needed a more direct and reliable way to alert residents and reduce inbound phone calls to Town Hall.

Traditional Communication Pain Points:

• Limited reach through social media platforms
• Delayed delivery of critical emergency information
• High volume of incoming calls to municipal staff
• Lack of documentation and transparency in communications

The Solution: GOGov's Comprehensive Municipal Platform

That's when the Town implemented GOGov's Citizen Notifications, launching their branded mobile app Go Anthony Town TX and GOGov's Code Enforcement module. With the platform, Valerie could send push notifications instantly and even post directly from her phone outside of office hours. The addition of Code Enforcement also helped the Police Department streamline compliance operations like animal control and property maintenance.

How Anthony, TX Uses "Go Anthony Town TX" for Daily Municipal Operations

Anthony, TX uses its municipal mobile app every day to send out a wide range of notifications. Valerie maintains a consistent cadence of updates, including:

Daily Communication Types:

• Emergency Alerts: Water leaks and emergency repairs
• Utility Management: Billing due dates and shutoff warnings
• Public Works Updates: Road closures, weather alerts, and infrastructure updates
• Community Engagement: Animal control flyers, community events, and reminders
• Government Transparency: Council meeting agendas (posted at least 72 hours in advance, as required)

By using a variety of content types and spacing posts throughout the day, Valerie keeps the app fresh, engaging, and non-intrusive. One of her favorite features is the timestamped history in the admin dashboard—providing a clear record of communication that's helpful for audits and public transparency.

"We use the app for everything," she shared. "It shows our residents that we are doing something, and for us internally, it's like a recordkeeping system."

Case Study: How Go Anthony Town TX Prevented Negative Media Coverage

Valerie shared a powerful example of how the GOGov app helped Anthony, TX avoid negative publicity during a recent water main leak. When residents started panicking and calling local news stations, the station quickly reached out to the town for details.

Crisis Communication Success:

Thanks to timely notifications sent through the app, the town was able to keep both residents and the media well-informed.

Valerie explained, "We sent out notices letting everyone know when the water was shut off and when it was restored. Public Works even provided photos showing the leak being fixed, all shared through the app as a real-time record."

Because the news station saw that the town was proactively communicating and managing the situation effectively, they ultimately decided not to run a story about the leak. This prevented what could have been bad press and helped maintain public trust.

The Impact on Municipal Operations:

Valerie reflected, "Before we had the app, I used to get nonstop phone calls all day during incidents like this. Now, with notifications sent even late at night, residents are satisfied knowing the town is transparent and keeping them informed. It's made a huge difference for our staff and the community — no more fearing the morning rush of complaints."

This real-world example highlights how Go Anthony Town TX's consistent and transparent communication has strengthened the town's relationship with its residents, making crisis management smoother and more effective.

Future Plans: Expanding Municipal Technology Solutions

As Anthony, TX receives new funding and grant support, the town is planning several large-scale capital projects—including a new food truck park, a public safety complex, and ongoing street and infrastructure improvements. Valerie sees Go Anthony Town TX as a key way to document and promote these initiatives.

Enhanced Communication Features:

Recently, Anthony enhanced their Citizen Notifications package by adding GOGov's SMS Texting and Voice Call feature. This new functionality allows residents to opt in for text messages or phone calls with a phone number, which is especially helpful for reaching elderly community members who may be less tech-savvy or prefer phone-based communication.

Valerie envisions using Citizen Notifications through their mobile app and phone number to share progress updates throughout every phase of these projects—from groundbreaking to grand openings—building excitement and trust with the public. Whether it's highlighting construction milestones or sharing positive news about town improvements, she is ready to expand how the app supports ongoing community engagement.

Best Practices for Municipal Communication Success

Valerie's Expert Advice for Municipalities:

Valerie's biggest advice? Be consistent with notifications.

"I think I post at least once a day," she shared. "You don't want to just use the app once or twice a month. Be consistent, post a variety of content, and have one dedicated person managing it."

She also emphasized the importance of crafting strong headlines that grab attention. "The subject line is what pulls people in—make it short and catchy."

Key Success Factors:

• Daily engagement with consistent posting schedule
• Personalized communication style that reflects community voice
• Clear dedication to transparency and accountability
• Strategic headline writing for maximum resident engagement

With daily use, a personalized communication style, and clear dedication to her community, Valerie has turned Go Anthony Town TX into a powerful platform for both communication and accountability.

Your Municipality Powered by GOGov

GOGov is committed to helping municipalities and local governments enhance community engagement, streamline operations, and foster transparent communication. Our partnership with Anthony, TX demonstrates the potential of our solutions to make a meaningful impact on local governments and districts of all sizes, and our continued efforts to improve and innovate further.  

GOGov specializes in providing CRM, Code Enforcement, Citizen Notifications, Online Permitting and mobile software to local governments of all sizes. We built our software from the ground up working with the departments and staff that now use our products every single day.

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