City seeking out web development help

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The City of Austin is looking for a helping hand to boost its presence on the web.

That's why the city is participating in the first Google Places API Developer Challenge. The challenge is designed to help local governments run better by making public information more accessible.

The challenge invites developers, designers and other tech-savvy people to improve their community or government using the Google Places API.

Google provides the tool to help developers access its extensive database and make associations between data and places, making it easier to build applications on services like Google Maps.

For example, new apps could help communities solve health problems, understand crime patterns or improve commerce.

Austin has identified three areas for development interest:

Animal Services to track live animal outcomes, animal intakes and inventory management.
Crime and public safety statistics.
Community engagement and participation tools.

“This is another excellent opportunity for the city to leverage Austin’s large tech community to help us become more efficient with delivery of information,” said Stephen Elkins, the city’s chief information officer.

Submissions can be made Aug. 15 through Oct. 31.