WINCHESTER, Tenn. — Motorists in Winchester who have grown frustrated with potholes and other maintenance issues lingering longer than expected may soon notice faster response times, thanks to a new digital work-management system adopted by the city’s Public Works Department.
Public Works Director Stuart Knapper updated the City Council at its Jan. 13 meeting on the department’s implementation of iWorQ, an internet-based platform designed to streamline how maintenance issues are reported, tracked, and resolved.
The cloud-based software allows public works staff to instantly log reported problems, assign work orders, track progress in the field, and document when tasks are completed. Knapper explained that when a citizen reports an issue such as a pothole, the request immediately becomes a work order in the system, eliminating delays caused by manual tracking or informal communication.
“If a citizen reports a pothole, it’s logged instantly, assigned to a crew, updated from the field, and closed out once the repair is completed,” Knapper said. “We can see when it was reported, who handled it, and how long it took — all in one place.”
The iWorQ system is widely used by local governments to manage work orders, assets, equipment, and personnel through web and mobile devices. Its features include scheduling, reporting, asset management, and permit and license tracking, making it especially appealing to smaller municipalities seeking efficiency without complex systems.
City Administrator Beth Rhoton said the new platform replaces outdated methods of internal communication.
“This replaces the old system of sticky notes and scattered messages,” Rhoton said. “Now everything is immediate, easy to track, and much more efficient.”
City Council members also expressed confidence in the software’s effectiveness. Councilwoman Barbara Lucas said she has personally used the system and was impressed by how quickly issues were addressed.
“I’ve used it, and the response is almost immediate,” Lucas said. “It looks like this is going to be a great aid not only for city employees, but for citizens as well.”
City officials say the adoption of iWorQ is part of a broader effort to improve accountability, transparency, and responsiveness across city operations, with the goal of delivering quicker results and better communication for Winchester residents.
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