Government Experience

How do some agencies create apps residents like to use? The minds behind some of the highest-rated 311 apps share best practices and recommendations to improve performance and citizen experience.

Edinger, the former CIO of the city and county of Denver, shared his priorities as he takes over from outgoing CIO Anthony Neal-Graves. He said special attention will be paid to empowering staff and process improvement.

The app, dubbed MySCCounty+, allows residents to purchase and store digital permits and other credentials on their electronic devices. The app builds off of an earlier iteration that was launched in 2015.

A new brief from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers underlines the importance of and reason for having a position dedicated to statewide digital accessibility coordination.

The city is moving forward with its first chatbot, which will make it easier for residents to get answers to their questions and to request services. Officials have approved a three-year contract with South Carolina-based Citibot.

Acquia, which helps businesses build digital tools, is buying the platform, which is meant to make online experiences better for people with disabilities. CivicPlus will still serve local clients interested in Monsido.

The state of Pennsylvania has announced the addition of select resources to the electronic Power Library, providing constituents with tools to learn new languages, learn about their heritage and more.

The constituent management software provider plans to hire more people and boost customer service as it grows. Polimorphic recently launched a natural language search tool for local governments.

The Superior City Council has voted to create a new broadband utility. Under the plan, the city would provide wholesale access to Internet service providers and the ISPs would provide service to users.

A survey from the gov tech company Springbrook Software found that most people prefer to pay their local government bills online, but they want easier navigation, better access to data and better payment options.

Suma Nallapati, who was appointed to serve as CIO for the city and county of Denver earlier this fall, plans to take a human-centered approach to IT to help actualize the mayor’s vision for a vibrant region.

The city has seen a tenfold increase in resident engagement through the integration of a platform that helps to manage and react to the input coming from surveys, social media and the city’s website.

The state recently launched an in-house secure online auction site, overcoming unique challenges. The project is projected to save the state $250,000 a year. Here’s a look at the most popular items listed.

Former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts SVP Tonya Webster takes up the post focused on incorporating user experience principles, creating a statewide customer experience strategy and building up a human-centered design team.

New York City has announced the launch of the new Smart City Testbed Program, which will involve government collaboration with outside organizations to launch eight pilot technology projects.

A new report released last week by the Urban Libraries Council outlines five recommendations of how public libraries can use artificial intelligence technologies in their work to serve communities.

City Council District H candidates addressed making city communications accessible in multiple languages, including redesigning the city's website, at a forum held earlier this week.

The Philadelphia Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has created the Disability Characteristics Map using census data to represent the diversity in abilities of the city's residents.