Digital Services

The Sawyer Free Library received the funding in the form of a Digital Equity Initiative Partnership Grant. The money, from the Essex County Community Foundation, will launch its digital learning lab.

Hundreds of technology partners focused on the public sector gathered outside Washington, D.C., for the annual Beyond the Beltway event, an industry-focused forecast of what 2025 looks like for state and local IT.

Jon Gjestvang, who led IT for the Bay Area county through wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, will wrap his 23-year career as CIO at the end of February. The organization’s deputy CIO will take over as interim CIO.

The app, funded with $13,860 approved by the Delaware County Council, would offer important information and improved communication with the city. Leaders hope it can be developed and launched by summer.

The company’s new step-by-step wayfinding app is available to users of the Washington, D.C., transit system. It spans 11,000 bus stops on 325 routes, as well as 98 rail stations, and does not collect personal data.

The Texas county’s commissioners court approved a contract for 4,500 poll pad devices, plus licensing and support services for two years. The pollbooks will replace devices that malfunctioned during the Nov. 5 election.

New Mexico’s most populous city went live late last month with a new way to submit planning requests. Users can now make permit and construction project applications, payments and register businesses online.

A proposed state Senate bill would change the name of the Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services, and compel creation of the “Safe Arkansas App.” It would also hone policy on how departments use tech resources.

The incident, part of a “vulnerability exploit,” did not expose the Social Security numbers or financial information of CPS Energy customers in San Antonio and adjoining Texas counties. They are nevertheless being notified.

A project by Internet service provider 123NET will bring Internet access to about 600 homes, after a pact with Lee Township was finalized. The $65 million endeavor will build about 1,100 miles of high-capacity fiber.

Officials at the port of Corpus Christi, Texas, have used generative artificial intelligence, geospatial data and a video game engine to show work as it happens in 3D, internally and to law enforcement.

By using digital twins and integrating artificial intelligence into its procurement process, the state has been able to cut inefficiencies, get better pricing and drive transparency.

State applications and some websites were unreachable for a time on Thursday after incoming and outgoing traffic was stopped. Emails emphasized there were no problems with the apps, or data vulnerabilities.

Evelina Broussard will lead the state’s Office of Technology Services after 28 years with gas distributor Atmos Energy. Her appointment closely follows the departure of now-former CIO Derek Williams.

The county’s board of commissioners has approved a service agreement with a new vendor to upgrade software at its building department. The move will facilitate work with cities and conversations with customers.

Local officials and Internet service providers say the $42.45 billion federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program has ancillary benefits. It helps link residents to other vital services.

The state plans to use a $13.2 million grant from the federal government to standardize interagency crash data, improve its quality and make it easier to access. Funds may also be used to automate data sharing.

U.S. officials commemorated Data Privacy Day in several ways, ranging from spreading awareness to sharing informational materials at state and local levels. Observance of the occasion originated in 2007.