New Automated Phone System Launched

The City of Marion has upgraded to a new automated phone system.  When a citizen calls the City at 387-2020, they will be greeted with an automated message with menu options helping to direct them to one of several city departments.  This new system will automatically connect various departments without using a live person.

The City’s new Mitel phone system utilizes Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), which is an automated calling technology that uses the internet instead of traditional phone lines.  Moving to an automated phone system allows the City to handle incoming calls more efficiently and provides the City with the ability to include a professional greeting and/or message that can be updated throughout the year as needed.  Other benefits include flexible calling between departments and the efficient handling of multiple incoming calls simultaneously.

When calling the City, callers will be asked to listen to the menu options and then make their menu selection using their keypad.  Callers will respond to the voice prompts and be routed to the right extension, or else request a staff directory listing to find the extension number of the person that they want to reach.  

The City is reminding residents that 911 should only be used in emergency situations and should not be used to bypass the automated phone system or to be connected to a department.