Chesco notches No. 10 spot in digital survey

At various times, Chester County has gained acclaim for being one of the healthiest, wealthiest, and happiest counties in the nation; now it can add electronic expertise to its accolades.

Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell (center) receives the Digital Counties Survey award from Tim Woodbury, director of government relations for Accela and Katie Burke, government program specialist for Laserfiche.
Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Terence Farrell (center) receives the Digital Counties Survey award from Tim Woodbury, director of government relations for Accela, a software provider, and Katie Burke, government program specialist for Laserfiche, another software firm.

Chester County took its place among the digital elite this week when it was presented with a Digital Counties Survey award that recognizes the most innovative digital counties in the nation. Chester County ranked 10th among America’s 3,000-plus counties, said a county press release.

Presented by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), the survey identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that save tax dollars through newfound efficiencies, boost transparency, focus on cybersecurity and citizen engagement, and that innovate through unique and exciting projects, the release said.

The judging panel cited a number of 2016 digital highlights in Chester County. The county introduced OpenGov, which publishes public spending online. It also reinforced its commitment to data security and migration to cloud-based systems and maintained a strong social media presence. Other factors that gained Chester County valuable points included the response-driven website and mobile applications, disaster recovery practices and continuity of operations, e-government programs and shared services, the release said.

Chester County Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell accepted the award at the NACo annual conference, which was held in Los Angeles.

“Over the past few years, Chester County has made a concerted effort to develop digital services that boost efficiencies and improve services for our citizens,” Farrell said in the release. “This award acknowledges that effort, undertaken by the team in our Department of Computing and Information Services, our digital communications personnel, and representatives from many other departments.”

Todd Sander, executive director of CDG, said the center congratulated the winners for their efforts “to innovate, improve transparency and proactively address citizen demands and expectations.”

NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase said technology enabled counties to provide citizens with smarter, more cost-effective services. “The Digital Counties Survey recognizes county innovations that truly benefit our communities and, by extension, America,” Chase said in the release.

After Chester County ranked fourth nationally in happiness in an online survey, Farrell accepted a challenge earlier this month from Sandra Murphy, the county’s Department of Aging director. If Farrell would sing “You Are My Sunshine,” at a public meeting, Murphy said she would do her best to reach out to Pharrell, renowned for his “Happy” song, to try and persuade him to come to Chester County to give its happiness quotient a boost.

Farrell, not content to settle for fourth place, met his end of the bargain on Tuesday, July 12. So if Murphy is successful, perhaps Pharrell could help the county improve its digital status as well – unless Farrell devises a better idea to beat the competition.

The Digital Counties Survey is conducted annually in the spring. All U.S. counties are invited to participate in the survey, which examines the overall technology programs and plans of the county. This year marks the 14th annual survey and details of winners can be found at http://www.govtech.com/dc/digital-counties/Digital-Counties-Survey-2016-Winners-Announced.html.

 

About Diane Micklin

Kathleen Brady Shea, a nearly lifelong area resident, has been reporting on local news for several decades, including 19 years at the Philadelphia Inquirer. She believes that journalists provide a vital watchdog service in the community, and she embraces that commitment. In addition to unearthing news, she also enjoys digging up dirt in her garden, a hobby that frequently fosters Longwood Gardens envy. Along with her husband, Pete, she lives in a historic residence near the Brandywine Battlefield, a property that is also home to a sheep, a goat, and a passel of fish.

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