Marin Voice: New app brings county services into the digital century
In an age where we can track a package on a map, summon a driverless car or schedule a doctor’s visit on our phones, interacting with county government can still feel like stepping back in time – siloed, outdated and impersonal. Why should residents have to navigate an old-fashioned system just to report potholes or fix streetlights?
That question drives a coordinated effort to bring Marin County government into the 21st century. Digital innovation is a cornerstone of my goals as District 2 representative on the Marin County Board of Supervisors. It’s the foundation of our newest initiative: FixIt Marin, a digital 311 app launching this week in select unincorporated communities. These pilot communities will provide feedback, share advice and help refine the app before we expand in all unincorporated areas.
The pilot has taken off under the new digital innovation team. FixIt Marin is simple in design but transformative in potential: one clear, accessible doorway into county services. Instead of guessing which department to call, residents can open the app, drop a pin or enter an address, choose a category and tap submit. They receive updates as their request is received, dispatched and completed. That visibility builds trust and ensures no request disappears into a bureaucratic black hole.
This “test and learn” phase is essential. We want to understand what works and how residents actually use the tool. Technology is only as strong as the people who use it, so early testers play a key role in shaping the final product. Their experiences guide improvements before the full rollout in mid-2026, ensuring a system that is polished, reliable and user-friendly.
Digital innovation at the Civic Center means solving everyday problems and bringing government closer to the people it serves. It means meeting residents where they are, on their phones, on their own time and in ways that are intuitive and familiar.
Cities like San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles already operate robust 311 systems that improve transparency and response times. Our unincorporated communities deserve the same modern access.
Think of FixIt Marin as a digital front desk. For now, we’re focusing on core Department of Public Works services: downed tree branches, illegal dumping, potholes and damaged street signs – the issues residents most often need solved quickly. Over time, the menu will expand to include road maintenance, speeding concerns, park questions and more.
FixIt Marin is also about equity. Equal access to government is an equity issue. Many residents juggle jobs, live far from offices or lack transportation. Others may not know where to start. Tools like this help level the playing field by making it easier for everyone, no matter their schedule or location, to request services and get answers. By spring, the app will also be multilingual so all residents can participate.
Democracy lives in the day-to-day actions of people working with their government to make things better. FixIt Marin empowers residents to become active partners in maintaining communities. No longer bystanders, they become the eyes and ears on the ground, reporting issues in real time, knowing they’ve been heard and seeing measurable action taken. That sense of agency builds connection and pride, turning service requests into community stewardship.
Modernizing government improves more than convenience, it improves service. Staff gain better data to allocate resources efficiently, identify patterns like an over-shedding eucalyptus or recurring potholes and prevent future problems. Standardized reporting strengthens analysis, transparency and accountability. Digital innovation helps us work smarter, not just faster. It’s a fundamental shift in mindset, reimagining county services as proactive, responsive and accessible to all.
FixIt Marin is just the first step in a broader digital vision: a county with integrated services, smart stoplights that adjust traffic using artificial intelligence and data that helps local businesses thrive. By modernizing our technology, we’re laying the foundation for faster emergency response, more accessible permitting, stronger community engagement and truly responsive public works.
By starting small, listening closely and scaling thoughtfully, we’re ensuring FixIt Marin isn’t just another tech project but a meaningful step toward a government that feels accessible, effective and worthy of public trust. Traditional service channels will remain, but our goal is to expand digital options so residents have seamless choices, online or in person.
Marin is ready to step boldly into the digital century. FixIt Marin is only the beginning.
Brian Colbert is a member of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. He represents District 2, which includes Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, Larkspur, southwest San Rafael, Kentfield, Greenbrae, Oak Manor and Sleepy Hollow.