Digital Counties Survey 2023 20th Anniversary Winners Announced!

July 18, 2023 - The Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) have announced the winners of the 20^th Anniversary Digital Counties Survey. The survey, developed in partnership with NACo and conducted by CDG, identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services; provide data analytics to allow decisions based on performance and outcomes; enhance cybersecurity; and apply innovative and emerging technologies to county priorities.

“This year’s survey results highlight how counties continue to use digital tools to respond to top priorities by providing comprehensive access to services, expanding opportunities for economic development, and ensuring the ability to be resilient in the face of unexpected crisis,” said Todd Sander, vice-president, CDG. “The Center for Digital Government is excited to recognize and congratulate this year’s winners for their accomplishments and continuing efforts to use technology to make government better.”

“Counties are using technology to pursue bold, cutting-edge approaches to serving our residents,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “Whether improving disaster resiliency, enhancing transportation, or exploring the potential of artificial intelligence, counties are leveraging technology to achieve local priorities. We applaud the Digital Counties Survey winners for deploying technological solutions that improve our residents’ quality of life.”
This year’s first-place winners include:

• Fairfax County, Va. (1,000,000 or more population category):
  

Fairfax County's Department of IT (DIT) has aligned their strategic plan and county leadership priorities. To support the County’s priorities, DIT developed the countywide "Data Analytics Framework" so that consistent, repeatable data analytics allow data-driven decisions for business processes and service delivery - and help to ensure they are made in a more equitable, agile, and responsive manner.

• Prince George’s County, Md. (500,000 – 999,999 population category):

Prince George's County is committed to using technology to provide innovative, accessible, safe, accountable, and equitable government services. Accomplishments this year include establishing the executive-level cybersecurity officer organization, an open data system for visualization and tracking performance with analytics county-wide, a new 3-1-1 CRM platform, a digital signature platform and policy, and development of elections management apps.

• Prince William County, Va. (250,000-499,999 population category):

Prince William County’s Department of IT (DoIT) provides technology services that enable the County's seven strategic goals. For example, to support the “Safe & Secure Community” goal, DoIT provides communications, applications, facilities, data, and mobile technologies that improve response times for emergency responders. And the best technologies are at the County's fingertips such as resilient and redundant facilities, body worn cameras, in-vehicle rugged mobile technology, and location-based services.

• Arlington County, Va. (150,000-249,999 population category):

Arlington County’s Department of Technology Services (DTS) has a culture of innovation that aligns DTS investments with the goals of cybersecurity, data privacy, and resiliency. Working with County departments DTS developed a Privacy Impact Assessment and Risk Mitigation Plan template and completed 19 privacy impact assessments. In addition, Arlington is using AI and Machine Learning to enhance customers’ experiences via “AVA”, Arlington's Virtual Assistant, “Bozbot” the chatbot support for walk-ins and call centers and is using chatbots for multiple departments countywide.

• Calvert County, Md. (up to 150,000 population category):
  

Calvert County has implemented a range of cutting-edge technologies, including a new HR/ERP system, tools to analyze real-time data for constituent feedback and sentiment, and ChatGPT. After a security assessment was done and usage guidelines were put into place, ChatGPT was integrated into business processes, such as drafting proclamations and correcting code. Employees can complete up to 85 percent of certain tasks within 10 seconds. The county also has a comprehensive workforce planning strategy resulting in a high rate of retention which includes ongoing training in innovative technologies.

20th ANNIVERSARY CONTINUOUS PARTICIPATION AWARD

CDG recognizes the County of Albemarle, Virginia for its commitment and dedication to participating in our survey since it began in 2003. They are honored for their participation and top 10 status every single year, and for their contributions to making government better! Well done and congratulations! And we extend a heart-felt thanks to ALL the communities that have participated in our survey over the years.

CDG thanks the following Digital Communities corporate members for making this survey and awards program possible:
Premier Members: Adobe, Armis
Standard Members: Abnormal Security, Accela, Elastic, Infor, LogicMonitor, SHI International Corp.

Congratulations to the 2023 Digital Counties Survey Winners!

1 Million or More Population
1st Fairfax County, VA
2nd King County, WA
3rd Orange County, FL
4th County of Alameda, CA
5th Hennepin County, MN
6th County of San Diego, CA
7th County of San Bernardino, CA
7th Westchester County, NY
8th Hillsborough County, FL
9th Wake County, NC
10th Cook County, IL
10th Miami Dade County, FL

500,000-999,999 Population
1st Prince George's County, MD
2nd DeKalb County, GA
2nd Jefferson County, CO
3rd New Castle County, DE
3rd San Joaquin County, CA
4th County of Chester, PA
5th Snohomish County, WA
6th County of Ventura, CA
7th Gwinnett County, GA
8th Polk County, FL
9th Cobb County, GA
10th County of San Mateo, CA

250,000-499,999 Population
1st Prince William County, VA
2nd County of Placer, CA
3rd Dutchess County, NY
4th Chesterfield County, VA
4th Durham County, NC
5th Leon County, FL
5th County of Sonoma, CA
6th County of Marin, CA
7th County of Cumberland, NC
8th Hamilton County, IN
9th Lane County, OR
10th Clayton County, GA

150,000-249,999 Population
1st Arlington County, VA
2nd Cabarrus County, NC
3rd Union County, NC
4th Onslow County, NC
5th Columbia County, GA
6th Pitt County, NC
7th County of Davidson, NC
8th Berkeley County, SC
9th Stafford County, VA
10th Charlotte County, FL

Up to 150,000 Population
1st Calvert County, MD
2nd Coconino Co, AZ
3rd County of York, VA
4th James City County, VA
5th Franklin County, VA
5th County of Nevada, CA
6th Dodge County, WI
7th Goochland County, VA
8th Orange County, VA
9th Bedford County, VA
10th County of Albemarle, VA

SELECTED SURVEY FINDINGS:

2023 Top 10 technologies and initiatives which are likely to have an increased focus in the next 12-18 months:
1. Cybersecurity (#1 for ten years consecutively)
2. IT Staffing (Hire/retain IT personnel) moved up from number three.

• 24% of respondents reported that half their workforce is now working remotely.
• 49% of respondents reported that half their workforce could work remotely, given the proper tools and policies in place.

3. Constituent/Customer Engagement and Experience moved down one spot.

• Use of Single Sign On among responding counties had a 12% increase to 66%
• Multi-Lingual Capabilities have increased 15% to 88% usage this year.

4. Networks: broadband, connectivity, addressing digital divide - is again number four.
5. Modernization of legacy technology – jumped way up from 13th last year!
6. Budget and cost control is back on the top 10 list from 12th last year.
7. Disaster Recovery/ Continuity of Operations moved down two spots from fifth.
8. Business intelligence/analytics moved down from sixth.
9. Departmental IT collaboration moved down only one spot from eighth last year.
10. Digital services/processes was new to the list last year and remains at number ten.

The top 3 disciplines in which counties will have increasing needs for IT staffing in the next 12-18 months are:
1. Cybersecurity: Data Protection, Compliance Auditing, Mobile/Remote Security
2. Data Analytics/Business Intelligence
3. Application Building, Integration and Modernization

CLICK HERE for the article on the top 10 winners who are being honored at a special awards event during the National Association of Counties annual conference on July 21 in Travis County, Texas.

About the Center for Digital Government:

The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. CDG is a division of  e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.

About NACo:

The National Association of Counties (http://www.naco.org) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

For NACo questions, contact Nicole Weissman, Director of Strategic Communications: 202-942-4278 or nweissman@naco.org.

Contact:
Janet Grenslitt
Director of Surveys and Awards
e.Republic | Center for Digital Government
916-932-1300
jgrenslitt@erepublic.com