Orange County has adopted the NextRequest platform from CivicPlus to improve public records management. The web-based system is intended to make it easier for residents to submit, track, and access public records requests. The county aims to increase transparency and government accountability by automating workflows and simplifying the process for both staff and the public.
“Transparency and access to information are fundamental to public trust,” said Orange County Board of County Commissioners Chair Jean Hamilton. “By implementing CivicPlus’ NextRequest platform, Orange County is making it easier for residents to request and receive public records in a timely, user-friendly way. This investment strengthens accountability, improves customer service, and reinforces our commitment to open, responsive government.”
The new software will help Orange County manage requests more efficiently by automating tasks and improving collaboration across departments. This is expected to allow staff members to respond more quickly and accurately, even during periods of high demand.
Eric Grant, Vice President of Product Management at CivicPlus, commented on the partnership: “CivicPlus is committed to empowering government agencies with tools that enhance transparency, streamline workflows, and foster greater trust within their communities. By adopting NextRequest, Orange County is taking an exciting step toward supporting timely, compliant, and efficient management of public records requests. This partnership reflects our shared dedication to operational excellence and community engagement.”
Meanwhile, data from the 2022-23 school year show that in Orange County school districts nearly half of senior students (49.2%) who took the science portion of the ACT were considered ready for college according to state education reports (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). Among juniors taking the same test in science, 50.7% met college readiness standards (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). For reading skills on the ACT exam among seniors in Orange County schools, 56.1% reached college-ready benchmarks (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/), while 55% of juniors did so as well (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/). In math sections of the ACT exam during that year’s testing period for seniors in these districts, 46.1% were deemed ready for college-level work (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/), with juniors slightly lower at 45.1% meeting readiness criteria (https://www.dpi.nc.gov/).
The implementation of NextRequest aligns with ongoing efforts in Orange County to improve access not only to educational opportunities but also governmental services.
