Local Government

The city network is offline, though other services are available, after the IT department was alerted late Tuesday a police officer was unable to access his account on the city computer system. Ransomware is not believed to be to blame.

County officials are considering software in the cloud for the 911 central dispatch software service that was affected in the June 12 ransomware attack. Used to reach law enforcement and first responders, that system remains offline.

The village of Saugerties, New York, may utilize TextMyGov to reach residents who subscribe, about issues including water main breaks, road closures and emergencies. Officials have discussed a $5,000 contract with the company.

Two grant proposals from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District each received $4.5 million from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. One would replace dirty-burning agricultural tractors; the other, heavy-duty diesel trucks.

Howard's past experience includes years of working in public-sector technology for several local governments throughout Arizona, including stints in Goodyear, Mesa and Gilbert.

The Syracuse City Council is considering resolutions to let it use a $10.8 million state grant to build out infrastructure, bringing Surge Link broadband to about 4,700 low-income households.

Roberto Lopez has been with the city more than 20 years, much of that as a computer operations manager. He replaces Rosa Akhtarkhavari, who stepped down earlier this month after more than a decade as CIO.

Pennsylvania voters have access to a state ballot tracking system. But some officials and observers wonder if a more comprehensive system might have explained why 268 ballots were delayed last fall.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Justin Bibb said the breach has been “contained” but couldn’t say whether the city has agreed to, or will consider, paying the ransom. The city is working with the Ohio National Guard and the FBI to investigate.

Results for America has recognized nine municipalities for using data to inform policy and improve government service delivery to residents. To date, 83 cities have received the What Works Cities Certification.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved a record-setting $532.9 million spending plan with funds for 25 new positions. The budget also includes money for 25 license plate cameras.

The economic development corporation in the county has worked with county GIS, an area planning board and the state to push out high-speed Internet to roughly 4 percent of households without it.

Roughly a day after a ransomware attack hit Grand Traverse County systems, essential services were fully operational, city and county officials said. County government phone systems, however, were among those still not working normally.

The county, southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul, will use $1 million of the $2.5 million in federal funding to expand broadband access countywide. Among other work, its Sheriff’s Office will get $500,000 for records management.

Shuttered Monday and Tuesday while officials probed what had first been described as a “cyber incident,” the Ohio city hall was poised for a restart Wednesday. The threat remains under investigation.

The Center for Internet Security’s Cybersecurity Advisory Services Program is aimed at helping strengthen organizations that are involved in elections, health care, education and water utilities.

City Hall and the Ohio city’s offices at Erieview Tower were closed for a second day on Tuesday, but officials have released few details on what may have occurred. The incident came to light via normal operations of city IT, a spokeswoman said.

Last week’s park rules changes by the Metropolitan King County Council allowed electric bikes and scooters on its trail network. The new rules are something of a standardization with the state, Seattle, and other counties.