Newark Makes New Technology Announcements

Mayor Ras J. Baraka is getting our city up to speed in technology. Last week, there were three tech announcements to get excited about as residents that include paying taxes online, new city app, and $10 internet access.

PAY TAXES ONLINE

Newark property owners can pay their property taxes on-line or by phone, and use credit/debit cards or e-checks to do so. Taxpayers can use the City website at taxes.ci.newark.nj.us, pay over the phone at 1-888-877-0450, or go directly to the City website ci.newark.nj.us. Taxpayers can use Master Card, Visa, Discover, American Express, or E-checks to pay online property taxes. Taxpayers who use credit or debit cards will be assessed a 2.25 percent convenience fee (with a minimum of $3.75) for doing so, while E-check users will pay a $0.99 convenience fee. Taxpayers using Master Card, Visa, Discover, or American Express at the Cashier Window in the Revenue Collections Office, Room 104, City Hall will also assess a 2.25 percent convenience fee (with a minimum of $3.75).

TECH PARTNERSHIP WITH RUTGERS

The City of Newark has begun a four-year partnership with Rutgers University-Newark and its School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). This partnership will develop and maintain an official citizen-facing mobile application, an official Open Data repository of non-sensitive city data, and an analytics team of faculty and staff through the Center for Information Management, Integration and Connectivity (CIMIC).

The mobile application, called "My Newark," includes the reporting of non-emergency issues, anonymous police tips, current news, and local information. The new Open Data portal is available online at http://data.ci.newark.nj.us and features data on property ownership, 311 calls, permits, and more. The Rutgers CIMIC analytics team of students and faculty will leverage City data to make efficiency recommendations.

FREE/$10 INTERNET ACCESS

Mayor Ras J. Baraka also announced a new program to provide $10/month broadband internet to any Newark resident and an initiative to connect 500 students and their families for free. JerseyOn is a non-profit aimed at helping low income areas achieve their greatest educational potential by providing affordable broadband access in their homes.

100 students who participate in My Brother's Keeper will be receiving one year's worth of free access. 1,000 more devices will be given to students in Newark through the Youth One Stop, located at 500 Broad Street.

For more information, visit jerseyon.org/Newark.