County residents don’t contact government offices for entertainment. They reach out because they need answers, often quickly, often outside of business hours. Marty AI, Van Buren County’s digital assistant, has stepped in to meet that need.
In just the past month, Marty has answered hundreds of questions. At current usage rates, it is on pace to handle 10,000+ questions per year. That scale matters: each of those interactions represents a phone call not placed, a counter visit avoided, or an email that doesn’t need a manual reply. The result is hundreds, if not thousands, of staff hours saved annually.
Real Examples
- A resident looking for victim rights support received the exact phone number and email for the Victim Rights Unit, along with office hours and locations.
- A landowner asked about addresses for vacant properties. Marty explained the County’s updated policy and gave step-by-step guidance, plus the right department email for follow-up.
- A driver asked if traffic fines were available online. Marty clarified the process, pointed to the official payment portal, and provided court contact numbers.
- A resident curious about the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission got a concise explanation of its role and a link to the official site.
These are straightforward questions, but answering them consumes staff time when handled manually. By automating them, Marty frees employees to focus on more complex, high-value tasks.
Minimal Cost, Maximum Impact
Unlike expensive enterprise software, Marty’s deployment and maintenance costs are minimal. For a small fraction of the cost of hiring even a single full-time staffer, the assistant is providing round-the-clock support and consistency.
Why It Matters
- Residents get faster service: Marty provides clear, verified information 24/7.
- Staff can focus where they’re needed most: Court clerks, deputies, and administrators spend less time repeating contact info or policy details, and more time handling cases, investigations, and planning.
- The County saves money: Every interaction handled by Marty is one less resource-intensive request for human staff.
The bottom line: Marty AI is not a flashy experiment. It’s a practical, low-cost tool that saves time for both residents and staff. By answering thousands of questions a year, it allows County employees to focus on the work that requires human judgment and expertise.
NOTE: Marty is still being refined to ensure it gives out the best information possible. This is an ongoing effort. if you have any questions about Marty AI, contact the Van Buren County Digital Information Department.
