Albemarle County has just been named one of the top in the country for delivering digital services to the community.
For the 10th year in a row, the county ranks among the top 10 most technologically advanced county governments of its size in the United States. This is according to an annual survey by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties.
Albemarle County ranks sixth in the nation in utilizing information technology to deliver high quality service to its customers and citizens based on a population category of 150,000 or less.
Albemarle County Community Relations Director Lee Catlin said, "It's a way that we can make sure that our citizens are involved with what's going on with local government which is very critical to us."
County officials say they will continue to search for new ways to use technology to make information more accessible to people.
Albemarle County Economic Development
Press Release
For the tenth year in a row, Albemarle County has been named among the top ten most technologically advanced, cutting edge county governments of its size in the U.S. by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo) in their 2012 Digital Counties Survey. Albemarle County ranks sixth in the nation in utilizing information technology to deliver high quality service to its customers and citizens based on a population category of 150,000 or less.
"We are delighted to be included in the elite communities across the country that are receiving national recognition for providing quality information technology services to their citizens," said County Executive Tom Foley in response to the county's ranking. "This award reinforces our emphasis on using information and communication technology to create operational efficiencies and provide quality service to county residents in these challenging times."
The 2012 Digital Counties Survey is an annual study conducted by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and Government Technology — divisions of parent company e.Republic Inc. — in partnership with the National Association of Counties. The survey evaluates entrants on their ability to demonstrate successful outcomes through the strategic use of technology.
Ten winners were named in each of four population-based categories. The winning counties carried out strategies with measurable benefits that aligned with county priorities. Successful programs also showed progress over the previous year, utilized innovative solutions, and revealed a commitment to collaboration within and outside of their organization. The self-reported survey is judged by a panel of experts.
"This year, counties are focused on saving money where they can by simplifying their information technology infrastructure and sharing systems with other governments," Center for Digital Government Executive Director Todd Sander said. "Many of them have found ways to provide better information security, transparency and citizen engagement with innovative uses of social media and advanced decision support tools."
"Counties across the country are aligning technology initiatives with executive strategic priorities to provide vital cost savings and administrative efficiencies," said NACo Executive Director Larry E. Naake. "The Digital Counties Survey identifies best practices and innovative uses of technology crucial with today's constrained budgets to maintaining and even improving service levels."
