MAYOR GRAHAM RICHARD
I recently had the honor of accepting an award from the Center for Digital Government, a technology based national research and advisory institute. The City of Fort Wayne placed first in the Center’s Digital Cities Survey. The survey honors governments that utilize information technology to streamline operations and deliver quality services to citizens. Last year, Fort Wayne placed third in the survey; in 2001 the City tied for tenth. This year’s first place showing is proof that the City of Fort Wayne’s is excelling in its use of technology.
The City of Fort Wayne is using technology to improve all areas of City government, especially to improve direct service to our residents. We were recognized for having the fullest implementation of the benchmark areas of the survey, such as services on the website, police use of technology and full implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. The judges specifically cited five areas that helped propel Fort Wayne to the Digital Cities number one ranking. They include the hiring of a Chief Technology Officer, adding more online forms to the website, allowing customers to make more online transactions, increasing the number of online payments and posting privacy and security statements on the website’s home page.
Over the past year, the City has made other improvements to its website that contributed to its number one ranking. The website’s home page has been redesigned and is compliant with guidelines for disabled users. “How to” emergency preparedness information is accessible to citizens directly from the home page. Fort Wayne’s recently developed Homeland Security website also includes the latest preparedness and response information.
The Fort Wayne Police Department is also utilizing advancements in technology to increase the safety of the community. Police officers have wireless connectivity that enables them to file reports without leaving their patrol cars. The department has implemented additional technology in recent years including crime analysis mapping, mobile data terminals and mobile GIS mapping. We also have invested in Fire House College programs that allow firefighters to receive training without leaving their station. The City of Fort Wayne’s use of technology not only improves citizens’ access to services, but also makes our city safer.
We will continue to make bold strides on the technology front over the next four years by improving the automation of internal processes to save time and money. By eliminating more red tape and replacing it with streamlined customer service, our citizens will continue to receive services quickly and efficiently and online instead of in line whenever possible.
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