Sunset City is a small, close-knit community in Davis County, Utah, with a population of just under 6,000 residents. As the smallest city in the county, measuring about a mile and a half in length and width, Sunset embraces its small-town charm while seeking modern ways to connect with its residents. Since adopting GOGov’s Citizen Notifications platform and launching their branded app, Sunset on the Go!, the city has made major strides in keeping residents informed and engaged with timely updates and community news.
About Sunset City, UT
Sunset City’s unique size is part of its identity, so much so that the mayor compares it to “Mayberry” from The Andy Griffith Show, a nod to its warm, neighborly atmosphere. Despite its small footprint, Sunset prides itself on community involvement and transparency. However, before GOGov, the city faced challenges in reaching residents through modern communication channels.
Previously, communication was limited to a single newsletter mailed once a year and little to no active social media presence. This gap made it difficult for residents to stay informed about meetings, events, and important alerts.
What was the challenge that led Sunset to GOGov?
As a small municipality with no social media platforms, Sunset City needed a cost-effective way to communicate efficiently and consistently. The lack of an online platform left many residents disconnected from city updates, creating frustration and missed opportunities for community engagement.
Nicole Supp, City Recorder, recalls, “People would say, ‘The city never tells us anything.’ We needed a way to modernize our communication and reach residents where they are today.”
Sunset was looking for a solution that could help bridge this communication gap without overwhelming staff or stretching the budget.
How is Sunset City using GOGov Citizen Notifications today?
Sunset City uses their mobile app, Sunset on the Go!, to send citizen notifications about City Council meetings, Planning Commission sessions, community events, and unplanned service disruptions such as water shutoffs. These updates often include flyers and images to provide clear and engaging information.
Nicole explains, “We send reminders twice a month for Council meetings and use Sunset on the Go! to invite residents to participate. Even if the app doesn’t have interactive features yet, it gives residents a way to hear about what’s happening and get involved.”
The app also doubles as a quick-access tool for internal staff. When residents call in with questions, staff can check the app for the latest notices and flyers—saving time and streamlining communication.
What real-world impacts has Sunset on the Go! made for Sunset City?
One standout use case has been managing unplanned water shutoffs caused by ongoing construction. Instead of handling numerous phone calls, the city can quickly notify affected residents with a single alert through Sunset on the Go!, saving time and reducing confusion.
The app also played a crucial role in promoting Sunset City Fun Days, the city’s annual celebration held this year at a new park with expanded activities and online registration. The app’s notifications helped drive attendance and keep the community informed in real time.
Nicole shares, “It was one of our most successful events, and Sunset on the Go! made communication so much easier.”
Measuring success and future plans with GOGov
While Sunset City has not formally tracked app metrics, Nicole enjoys monitoring user growth and sees steady adoption. She emphasizes that for a small city, Sunset on the GO! offers an affordable and efficient way to maintain strong community engagement without costly print materials.
Looking forward, Sunset City plans to continue expanding its outreach through the app, focusing on increasing resident involvement and sharing more frequent updates.
Advice to other municipalities considering GOGov
Nicole’s advice is straightforward: “Definitely go for it. It’s a reasonably priced tool that helps you stay connected with your residents and modernize your communication efforts.”
For a small city like Sunset, the Sunset on the Go! app has become a key tool in fostering a more informed and connected community.
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GOGov is committed to helping municipalities and local governments enhance community engagement, streamline operations, and foster transparent communication. Our partnership with ESunset City 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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