Frequently Asked Questions

CivicBound is purpose-built software designed specifically for California Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs). It streamlines LAFCO operations—from application intake to notice generation—while ensuring compliance with the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000.

CivicBound is designed for all LAFCO staff members, including Executive Officers, Deputy EOs, Analysts, Clerks, and supporting Legal Counsel. Each role has specialized tools and workflows that match their day-to-day responsibilities.

CivicBound works for LAFCOs of all sizes. Whether you're a single-person office managing 0-2 applications per year or a larger commission with multiple staff handling dozens of applications, MSRs, and SOI updates. CivicBound scales to meet your needs.

Absolutely! We offer personalized demos tailored to your LAFCO's specific needs. Contact us to schedule a walkthrough with our team.

CivicBound is built from the ground up with CKH Act compliance as its foundation. The system automatically calculates statutory deadlines based on Gov. Code requirements, generates compliant notices, maintains complete audit trails for all actions, provides workflow guidance through review processes, and helps ensure all documentation requirements are met before critical transitions.

We work with you during onboarding to migrate active applications and critical historical data into CivicBound. You won't lose track of ongoing work, and we help ensure continuity during the transition.

CivicBound can export data in common formats (PDF, Excel, CSV) for use with other systems. We're actively building additional integration capabilities based on customer needs. Let us know about your specific integration requirements.

Yes! CivicBound includes dedicated MSR/SOI tracking features that help you manage 5-year review cycles, track determinations, organize supporting documentation, and maintain historical records for each agency and service area.

Yes. CivicBound allows you to customize notice templates to match your LAFCO's specific formatting and writing preferences while maintaining CKH Act compliance requirements. Workflow customizations can be discussed during implementation to match your existing processes.

We provide comprehensive onboarding training tailored to your team's roles and workflows. Training includes live sessions, recorded materials for future reference, and ongoing support. New staff members can access training materials at any time.

Yes! Initial onboarding training is included, and all staff will have access to our knowledge base, video tutorials, and support team. We also provide refresher training as needed when new features are released.

Absolutely. One of CivicBound's benefits is preserving institutional knowledge during transitions. New staff can access training materials, and we can provide onboarding assistance for new team members.

CivicBound uses enterprise-grade security including encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS), encrypted data storage, regular security audits and updates, role-based access controls, and secure cloud hosting with automatic backups. We take data security seriously and follow industry best practices.

Your data is stored in secure, SOC 2 compliant data centers in the United States. We maintain regular encrypted backups and have disaster recovery procedures in place.

You do. Your LAFCO retains complete ownership of all data entered into CivicBound. You can export your data at any time, and if you ever wish to terminate your relationship with CivicBound, we'll provide a complete data export.

CivicBound's search and export features make it easier to respond to PRA requests. You can quickly find relevant documents, applications, and communications, then export them in standard formats for disclosure.

CivicBound is offered as an annual subscription based on your LAFCO's size and needs. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your specific requirements.

Yes, we do have setup fees depending on your LAFCO needs. There are no hidden costs. Our pricing is transparent and includes implementation, training, ongoing support, software updates, and hosting. We'll provide a clear quote upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

All CivicBound subscribers receive ongoing support via email and phone during business hours, access to our knowledge base and video tutorials, software updates and new features at no additional cost, and assistance with troubleshooting and questions. We're here to help ensure your success.

We recognize that LAFCOs vary significantly in size and budget. Our pricing is scaled to match your LAFCO's needs, and we work with smaller commissions to find solutions that fit their budgets. Let's talk about what works for you.

CivicBound is offered as an annual subscription. We believe in earning your business through great service and results, not by locking you in. We can discuss contract terms that work for your procurement requirements.

CivicBound is cloud-based, which means there's no software to install or servers to maintain. You access it through your web browser from any device with an internet connection. This also means you automatically receive updates and new features.

CivicBound works on all modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and is optimized for both desktop and tablet use. You can access your LAFCO's data from the office, home, or in the field.

CivicBound requires an internet connection to access. However, your data is always safely backed up in the cloud, so once connectivity is restored, you're right back where you left off. You can also export documents and reports for offline reference.

We continuously improve CivicBound based on customer feedback and changes to LAFCO regulations. Updates are deployed automatically—you don't need to do anything. We notify users of significant new features and changes.