Fort Lauderdale residents planning to get in touch with city services may need to adjust their schedules next Tuesday. The city announced it would be temporarily shuttering its customer service call center on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for mandatory staff training. Callers during this seven-hour stretch can expect an automated response guiding them through a menu, with the option to speak to a representative from their answering service.
"We apologize for the interruption of service; however, it is important to ensure all staff members are well trained and able to provide you with the best customer service experience possible," the city communicated through a statement on their website. During the training period, the call center aims to better equip its staff to handle inquiries ranging across various departments, such as Public Works and Transportation and Mobility. Regular operations are slated to quickly resume after the training at 2 p.m. on the same day.
Frequent users of city services shouldn't worry too much about the downtime. Aside from this brief closure, the customer service center will continue to be available as per usual, fielding calls daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m, followed by limited after-hours services. This initiative is part of the effort to centralize the hotline for residents seeking assistance with utilities, permits, or other municipal matters.
Taking advantage of technology, the city encourages residents to alternatively use FixIt FTL, its newly minted system, to "report potholes, flooding, graffiti or vandalism, streetlight or street sign issues, code enforcement concerns, and more," as noted on the city's website. Residents can access FixIt FTL online or by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, effectively making to report issues less of a hassle.
