Local Government

As AI and growing software supply chains make cybersecurity more complicated, there are also ways that organizations can and should strengthen their defenses.

Pasadena, Calif., will soon let its electric fleet use standard, publicly available chargers. In Texas, Austin Energy, a city-operated utility, is developing a charging strategy for its fleets.

The National League of Cities will work with tech company BRINC to educate cities, towns and villages on standing up drone-as-first-responder programs. That includes assistance on FAA approvals and training.

County IT leader Rose Mustain, a former NASA cybersecurity manager, has moved on, its chief administrator said last week. Chief Information Security Officer Russ Hauser will serve as interim IT director.

Starting this week, people riding fixed route city buses can pay without actual money changing hands. Decatur Transit Pay enables contactless payment via a smart card or smartphone app.

Fort Worth is now considering a tax break for Edged Data Centers, a subsidiary of sustainable infrastructure company Endeavour, for a data center to be developed near the city.

From mining video evidence to enabling real-time translation of public meetings to speeding up prescription renewals, state and local agencies are finding ways to put artificial intelligence to work.

The city, researchers said recently, is in a good position to help the state be a leader in quantum technology, as a pivotal moment, Q-Day, gets closer. That day could come as soon as 2030, a report said.

Residents who use the county Sheriff’s Office app can find booking and offender information — and push notifications around weather warnings. A daily bulletin feature will soon be added.

T.J. Mayotte will step in as the city’s new CIO beginning Monday, bringing private- and public-sector experience from two nearby counties to the role. The incoming tech leader has also worked in security governance.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has deployed a new system with artificial intelligence to answer calls that are not life-threatening emergencies. Those calls previously encountered some delays.

Senate Bill 707 mandates that larger cities and counties provide options for remote participation in public meetings by July 1, among other requirements related to translation and teleconferencing for elected officials.

A recent Iran-linked cyber attack spurred discussions among state, local, tribal and territorial governments about the war in Iran, cybersecurity implications and practical ways to build their cyber resilience.

The myAurora 311 Open Data Portal gives residents a detailed look at the city's non-emergency call traffic, service trends and response, and is part of a broader push to make city operations more transparent.

After a swift negative response from residents, when police announced last month they would install automated license plate readers, the Village Board has canceled its camera contract.

With much construction finished on the project, which will use sensors and ramp meters to regulate eight miles of northbound traffic, a 90-day traffic count is underway ahead of its May debut.

Officials will refresh the site to eliminate customer issues including a delayed reflecting of precise balances. Changes to the village payment system are underway, and are in early stages.

AI, cybersecurity, budget: How well are America’s cities prepared for a digital future? The annual survey from the Center for Digital Government has topline data on municipal tech.