DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. – Advancing its mission to modernize local government, Walton County has formally enacted Swiftbuild.ai’s SwiftGov® platform in its permitting operations. This transition from pilot program to production underscores the County’s commitment to continuous improvement, streamlining development for staff, builders and residents alike.
The initiative is built on a strong strategic partnership with the dedicated team at SwiftGov. By leveraging their industry and local expertise to integrate AI into daily workflows, Walton County is proactively reducing processing times. This collaboration allows the County to accelerate project timelines while maintaining strict adherence to safety codes and environmental standards.
“We have to treat government with the same efficiency as a business,” said Dan Curry, District 1 Commissioner, a vocal advocate for reducing administrative delays. “By implementing this technology, we are cutting red tape and getting out of the way of our builders. We are moving from a process that used to take weeks to one that provides feedback in days.”
Since implementation, the platform has reviewed 319 residential units with immediate results:
- Speed: Average staff review time reduced to just eight days.
- Precision: Achieved 100% accuracy on townhome reviews and 88% accuracy on single-family homes.
- Compliance: Automated validation of coastal, flood and dune lake requirements guarantees consistent enforcement in sensitive environmental areas.
Donna Johns, District 4 Commissioner, highlighted the dual economic benefits of the decision.
“Time is money for both our local businesses and our taxpayers,” said Johns. “This system reduces the cost of government oversight while helping builders get to work faster. It creates a more efficient environment for the development community without sacrificing the high standards we demand for Walton County.”
Stephen Schoen, Director of Planning for Walton County, noted that the system’s performance has exceeded expectations.
“The results have been incredible,” said Schoen. “We are seeing review times drop significantly, sometimes to under an hour, while maintaining near-perfect accuracy. This partnership gives our team the tools to meet demand without sacrificing quality.”
This integration is part of a broader strategy to optimize County resources. By partnering with SwiftGov, Walton County reduces the administrative overhead of manual plan checks substantially, freeing staff to apply their expertise where it is needed most.