Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from municipal IT directors, finance officers, and administrators evaluating MuniNow.
Implementation & Migration
How long does implementation take?
MuniNow is configuration-based, not custom-built for each client. Most municipalities are operational within weeks, not months. The timeline depends on how many modules you're deploying and whether you're migrating historical data from a legacy system. We work with your team to phase the rollout so departments go live when they're ready.
Can we migrate data from our current system?
Yes. MuniNow includes an ETL Import module specifically designed for bringing in historical data from legacy platforms. We support CSV, Excel, and API-based imports with configurable field mapping, validation, and error reporting. Common migrations include chart of accounts, utility billing accounts, permit history, and employee records.
Do we have to deploy all 37 modules at once?
No. Modules are independent and can be enabled individually. Many municipalities start with their highest-pain departments — often permits, utility billing, or finance — and expand from there. The platform is designed so that modules work together when enabled but don't require each other.
What does the onboarding process look like?
We start with a scoping call to understand which modules and departments you need. From there, we configure the platform to match your organizational structure — departments, roles, fund codes, permit types, utility rate schedules, and so on. Your team gets training on each module before go-live, and we provide support through the transition.
Security & Compliance
Is MuniNow SOC 2 compliant?
MuniNow is hosted on SOC 2-compliant infrastructure with encryption at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.2+). All data is stored in U.S.-based data centers. We maintain a comprehensive security posture including role-based access control, row-level data isolation, and full audit trails on every mutation.
How does MuniNow handle multi-tenant data isolation?
Every database query is scoped to your municipality at the row level. This isn't application-layer filtering — it's enforced at the database layer, so there's no code path that can accidentally return another tenant's data. Each municipality's data is logically isolated with its own organization ID enforced on every read and write.
Does MuniNow meet GASB and GAAP reporting requirements?
Yes. The General Ledger module is built around GASB-compliant fund accounting with support for governmental, proprietary, and fiduciary fund types. The Reporting module includes CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) preparation tools. Budget-to-actual tracking, encumbrance accounting, and year-end closing are all built in.
Who has access to our data?
Your data belongs to your municipality. MuniNow staff do not access customer data unless explicitly authorized by your administrator for a support case. All access is logged. You control user permissions through a granular role-based access control system with 16+ configurable roles.
Technical Architecture
What is MuniNow built with?
The frontend is Next.js 14 (React) with server-side rendering and static generation. The backend API is NestJS with tRPC for type-safe client-server communication. The database is PostgreSQL with PostGIS for spatial data. Caching and job queues run on Redis. The entire stack is TypeScript end-to-end.
Does MuniNow have an API?
Yes — 750+ API endpoints covering every module. The API uses tRPC with full TypeScript type safety, which means any integration you build gets compile-time validation. All data that's accessible in the UI is accessible through the API. We also support webhook integrations for real-time event notifications.
Can we integrate MuniNow with our existing GIS system?
MuniNow includes a built-in GIS Mapping module powered by PostGIS. It supports geocoding, spatial queries, layer management, and interactive maps. If you have an existing GIS system, data can be imported through the ETL Import module or synced via the API. Parcel data, zoning districts, and infrastructure layers can all be overlaid.
Is MuniNow cloud-hosted or on-premise?
MuniNow is a cloud-hosted SaaS platform. This means no servers to maintain, automatic updates, and built-in backups. All data is stored in U.S.-based data centers with encryption at rest and in transit. If your municipality requires on-premise hosting for compliance reasons, contact us to discuss options.
Citizen Portal
Do citizens need to create an account?
For most actions, yes — citizens create a portal account to apply for permits, pay utility bills, submit service requests, and track case status. However, the Quick Pay feature allows utility bill payment without an account using a bill token. The portal supports multi-factor authentication for citizen accounts.
Can citizens apply for permits and licenses online?
Yes. Citizens can submit permit and license applications through the self-service portal, upload supporting documents, pay fees online, and track their application status in real time. They receive automated notifications when their application moves to a new stage — review, inspection, approval, or issuance.
How do residents report issues like potholes or streetlight outages?
Through the Service Requests module. Citizens submit requests via the portal with a description, category, photo, and location. The system automatically routes the request to the appropriate department based on category. Residents can track the status of their request and receive notifications when it's resolved.
Customization & Configuration
Can we customize permit and license types?
Yes. Permit types, license types, fee schedules, review workflows, inspection checklists, and approval chains are all configurable through the admin interface. You're not locked into a fixed set of templates — the system adapts to your municipality's specific ordinances and processes.
Can we configure our own utility rate schedules?
Yes. The Utility Billing module supports configurable rate schedules with tiered consumption rates, flat fees, seasonal adjustments, and multi-service accounts (water, sewer, electric, gas, refuse). Rate changes can be scheduled in advance and applied to specific billing cycles.
Can we create custom reports?
The Reporting module includes a report template builder that lets you create reports pulling data from any module. Reports can be scheduled to run automatically (daily, weekly, monthly), saved to a shared library, and exported to CSV, PDF, or Excel. The module also includes CAFR preparation tools for annual financial reporting.
Support & Operations
What kind of support is included?
All MuniNow subscriptions include business-hours support via email. We also provide documentation, onboarding training, and a knowledge base. For municipalities that need it, priority support with faster response times is available.
How are updates and new features delivered?
MuniNow is continuously updated as a SaaS platform. Updates are deployed automatically with zero downtime. New features and improvements are rolled out regularly. We publish release notes so your team knows what's changed, and major updates include advance notice.
What happens if we want to leave MuniNow?
Your data is yours. Every record in MuniNow can be exported at any time in CSV, JSON, or PDF format — no fees, no restrictions, no waiting period. The API also supports bulk data extraction. We provide a 30-day transition period after cancellation to ensure you have everything you need.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is happy to walk through any of these topics in detail during a demo.