Government Experience

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 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.

The process is well underway in the state, with just three agencies remaining to be consolidated. The undertaking will support other advances in state technology, in areas including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

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 state economic development agency has debuted a new division, Louisiana Innovation. Its responsibilities will include developing the Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence, a nonprofit.

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 Hometown Food Security Project has launched an innovative mobile app designed to transform how the community addresses food insecurity.

Derek Williams was elevated to state CIO last year after having served as deputy CIO since late 2022. He is a veteran Louisiana technologist, and has been with the Office of Technology Services since its creation.

As tech positions go unfilled across public-sector organizations, recruiting experts recommend lowering the hurdles. Suggested strategies include clarifying job descriptions and tailoring hiring processes.

Jeffrey Tumlin, the recent former director of transportation at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, explains why adaptability was key for the transit organization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plus, Massachusetts and Texas have announced digital equity funding, the General Services Administration has made staff appointments, the FCC chairman rejects rulemaking proposal, and more.

Starting Saturday, residents with library cards for the Lorain Public Library System will have access to a new online learning platform aimed at honing work-related skills. Course categories include data science.

The company’s platform is used by state and local governments for such tasks as licensing, case management and procurement. JMI Equity, a growth equity firm, will get two seats on the company’s board.

The Colorado Department of Revenue has completed a project refreshing the state’s Sales and Use Tax System for an improved user experience. The work follows a mandate from state legislators in 2023.

Thoma Bravo takes an ownership stake in the combined company. The seller of process management software plans to integrate Casepoint’s data management technology as Opexus works to gain more state and local clients.