Local Government

Many cities in Cheshire County, N.H., are funding high-speed Internet networks via municipal bonds through local banks, while others are signing public-private partnerships with ISPs. Both models have pros and cons.

By combining a city’s digital twin, a model of how it might be affected by factors like climate, with GIS, municipal leaders can make decisions based not only on physical factors, but the way people will be impacted.

COVID-19 proved even to skeptics that a lot of government business can be done from anywhere. So what happens to all the physical spaces that cities and states invested in to house their workforce?

City leaders in Davenport, Iowa, have voiced concerns about the introduction of Bird electric scooters to the downtown area. One concern is that the devices could pose a danger in bike lanes.

The rollout of 5G antennas, commonly known as small wireless facilities, have city residents pushing back against plans to install even more of the devices. Some residents say they weren’t notified by the city.

Experts in quantum computing say the federal government’s continued support of the emerging technology will have implications for state and local government entities, particularly as it applies to economic development.

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously voted today to prohibit county departments, including the sheriff's office, from using facial recognition tech. If signed by the county executive, the measure becomes law.

In a brave new world of fully remote or hybrid teams, chief information officers need to explore new ways to find talent and build work culture that supports employees and improves outcomes.

Coming on the heels of a political scandal and a large cyber attack, Scranton’s recent move to modernize its ERP system is key to rebuilding public trust, ensuring security and bringing city operations up to date.

A partnership between Urban Spatial and a University of Pennsylvania professor aims to make it easier for city planners to gauge resident preference for preserving historic homes against need for higher-density housing.

Plus, Dayton, Ohio, rolls out a police transparency portal for public info; Howard County, Md., announces a new robust digital equity initiative; and a Florida sheriff’s office deploys tech to find wandering seniors.

Employees of Santa Fe, N.M., must now reapply for access to the city's social media accounts and email list. The city spokesperson said the change relates to cybersecurity and is more of a new practice than a new policy.

During the 2021 Code for America Summit earlier this month, experts discussed lessons they have learned using data to guide resource allocation and intervention efforts while combating housing insecurity.

Now that COVID-19 vaccines are readily available, with case numbers declining and restrictions easing, some residents are pushing for their elected representatives to return to in-person town halls.

2020 saw the FBI, CISA and local governments collaborate more closely to keep elections secure. Building on these efforts and better engaging private companies and the public will help protect future elections, experts say.

Council members have approved spending $214,000 to purchase an Avigilon video surveillance system for 16 camera locations in downtown Moline, marking the first phase of a plan aimed at enhancing security in some areas.

Following the departure of Matthew Arvay, Phoenix, Ariz., has selected an acting CIO in Steen Hambric, who has been the city’s assistant CIO since 2017. Arvay now works in the private sector.

After a May 1 malware attack, Anson County, N.C., lost several services, including email and telephone. The county, however, doesn't believe any employee or citizen data was affected.