Wake County has been named one of the top-10 most technologically advanced, cutting-edge county governments in the United States by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo) in their 2004 Digital Counties Survey. The survey examines how county governments are evolving in their use of information technology (IT) to deliver services to their citizens.
The Center will honor Wake County on Monday, July 19, during the NACo Annual Conference and Exposition in Maricopa County (Phoenix), Ariz., as one of the Top 10 Counties in the 500,000+ population category. The Center acknowledged: "the team effort – from elected officials approving high-tech budgets to staff introducing complex new systems."
"It's an honor to be recognized for our ongoing efforts to better serve our citizens through the use of technology," said Commissioners' Chair Kenn Gardner. "This is one tool we use in delivering County services more efficiently and effectively."
Other winners in the "Population 500,000 or more" category were San Diego County, Calif.; Orange County, Fla.; Alameda County, Calif.; Bernalillo County, N. Mex.; Tulsa County, Okla.; Snohomish County, Wash.; Sacramento County, Calif.; Hennepin County, Minn.; Fulton County, Ga.; and Montgomery County, Md.
"The Digital Counties Survey is one of a series of studies we conduct that examines how governments are applying IT to effectively serve their constituents," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "Our goal is to keep our fingers on the pulse of technology policies and practices in state, city and county governments, and acknowledge the hard work and effort put forth by of all of them."
All counties were invited to participate in the survey. Officials responded to a set of 17 questions and ranked their jurisdictions on a four-point scale, providing background data for final verification and validation.
"The Digital Counties Survey awards effectively demonstrate how county governments of all sizes across the country are positively applying technology to deliver quality services to their citizens," said Larry Naake, executive director of NACo.
For more information, visit http://www.centerdigitalgov.com/center/04digitalcounties.php.