Local Government

Montgomery County in Maryland, part of the Washington, D.C., metro area, is in the midst of a five-year push to improve housing. A housing executive explains how new technology is helping to achieve that goal.

The Montgomery County, Pa., council aims to bring up to 15 people with experience in different sectors together to aid the county’s usage of artificial intelligence in an ethical and responsible fashion.

The measure’s lead sponsor removed it from consideration before a vote. The 12-member City Council unanimously sent the proposed ban on using algorithms to set residential rents back to committee.

The kiosks dispense health-related items for free, such as condoms, Narcan nasal spray, emergency blankets, tampons and pads, COVID-19 rapid antigen tests and other laboratory tests.

Through internships with the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office, university students will work with detectives to extract and analyze cellphone data related to criminal cases.

The ride-share service and its mobile application, which are funded by a $2.1 million state grant, expanded in March 2024. Powered by transit software firm Via, the service has around 15 drivers.

The Maryland city is focused on doing grassroots work with local groups to get residents connected to the digital economy more effectively. Meanwhile, its middle-mile network sets the stage for greater consumer choice.

The Southern California city added $1 million to its cybersecurity budget during a 16-month investigation into a 2023 network breach that exposed sensitive data. Officials are now notifying people who may have been affected.

The young company, part of a recent gov tech accelerator, helps cities and other local governments make laws via digital tools. Now comes a new database for local ordinances that could pave the way for other services.

The city piloted a tool with artificial intelligence to gather more than 1 million responses from residents in just 33 days. Their feedback will help shape the direction of a 25-year strategic vision project.

Officials have expanded the service to seven parks and a four-mile stretch of business corridor, in a bid to improve digital literacy and quality of life. An additional rollout is planned later this year.

Kerry Goode, who had served as chief information officer and director of the city’s Technology Solutions Department since 2010, has moved on. Officials have looked within to find Durham’s new interim CIO.

County supervisors have directed officials to study what updates should be enacted to deal with artificial intelligence as it takes further hold in everyday life. Leaders will develop a framework for how AI should be employed.

With Lime scooters returning to the city’s streets this week, local officials are rolling out new infrastructure designed to limit the scattering of scooters and e-bikes downtown.

The provider of procurement, budgeting and grant technology last year changed its name from City Innovate. The company plans on more hiring and research and development, and has released an AI product.

The National Association of State Procurement Officials has partnered with the Work for America initiative to help seasoned professionals connect with public-sector career opportunities. Their experience may be valuable.

The procurement platform, fresh off a seed funding round, will work with two other organizations to expand local government access to cooperative contracts. The Texas-based company is eyeing national expansion.

The city of around 25,000 will deploy 16 cameras to be used in open cases or other specific circumstances, such as finding suspects or missing children. A grant will fund about two-thirds of the devices.