The City of Decatur announced the launch of DecaturDirect, a new AI assistant available on the City’s official website. Designed to make it easier for residents to navigate city information, DecaturDirect offers around-the-clock access to answers about the city.
Whether residents have questions about permits, utility billing or upcoming community events, DecaturDirect allows users to type questions in plain language and receive responses based on the City’s official documents and website content.
“We are committed to improving how residents interact with their local government,” said Dan Rickord, mayor of Decatur. “Decatur Direct is another step forward in providing convenient, modern access to information while maintaining the accuracy and transparency our community expects.”
A Local Name, Built on Trusted Technology
The City chose the name DecaturDirect to reflect its goal of providing direct, straightforward access to city information. The assistant is powered by Ordinal Connect, a technology platform developed specifically for local governments.
Ordinal Connect serves as the AI engine behind DecaturDirect, training the assistant on the City’s approved documents and public materials. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, it does not generate answers from the open internet. Instead, each response is grounded in Decatur’s official content and provides links to the relevant source pages.
“Cities need tools that are both innovative and responsible,” said Jacon Herrington, CEO at Ordinal. “We’re proud to support Decatur with technology built specifically for municipal use, ensuring residents receive reliable information in the moment.”
Supporting Residents and Staff
In addition to improving public access, DecaturDirect is expected to help reduce repetitive calls and email inquiries, allowing City staff to dedicate more time to complex requests and in-person service.
Key features of DecaturDirect include:
● 24/7 availability on the City’s website
● Plain-language search for city services and regulations
● Direct links to official City pages and documents
● Responses based exclusively on City-approved information
City officials emphasized that DecaturDirect complements — not replaces — traditional customer service channels. Residents may still contact City Hall or individual departments for assistance.
“Our goal is simple,” Rickord said. “Make it easier for residents to get answers and interact with their city government.”
Residents can access Decatur Direct by visiting the City’s official website at https://www.cityofdecatur.in.gov/
About the City of Decatur
The City of Decatur, located in Adams County, Indiana, is a growing community known for its strong manufacturing heritage, civic pride and family-oriented neighborhoods. City leadership is focused on thoughtful development, infrastructure improvements and modern service delivery that supports residents and local businesses alike.
About Ordinal
Ordinal is a technology company focused on helping local governments modernize access to information. Its platform enables cities to securely implement a range of AI knowledge tools, giving both staff and residents faster access to trusted answers and driving efficiency across City Departments.
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