County ranks No. 6 in nationwide survey for innovative use of technology

San Bernardino County ranked No. 6 in a nationwide survey by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its innovative use of technology, moving up from No. 7 in 2023.

“We are pleased to be recognized as a nationwide leader for advancing technology to improve government services,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “This achievement reflects our commitment to embracing innovation and delivering excellence in public service.”

CDG is a national research organization that seeks to promote digital best practices that ultimately streamline government services. Every year, CDG collaborates with NACo, an organization dedicated to strengthening America’s more than 3,000 counties, to conduct the annual Digital Counties Survey.

The survey assesses performance and innovation in using technology to align with county goals, achievements in cost savings through improved efficiency, transparency and cybersecurity, civic engagement, and addressing citizen expectations.

“We are thrilled to be recognized on a nationwide level for providing outstanding public service through innovative technology practices,” said Chief Information Officer Lynn Fyhrlund. “We will remain dedicated to identifying and implementing new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.”

The county earned this honor as a result of a project with the Clerk of the Board to implement a new speaker management system, which has increased operational efficiency, saved time by routing the requests directly to staff and the board chair, contributed to environmental conservation by using less paper, and enhanced public service.

Prior to implementing the new speaker management system, the process to complete a speaker card and address the board was completely manual, using cards filled out by hand. Now, members of the public who wish to speak on agenda items or share a general comment can type out an e-form in either English or Spanish using new kiosks located at the San Bernardino County Government Center and the Joshua Tree and High Desert government centers.

The county was also recognized for modernizing the annual Point-In-Time Count (PITC) of unsheltered individuals by developing a mobile application for Android and iOS devices, leveraging GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology.

In previous years, San Bernardino County officials and volunteers were utilizing paper-based surveys to conduct the count. Transitioning to an app-based survey simplified the process by eliminating data entry and providing data analytics in real time. Also, conducting the survey through the mobile application provided additional information that was not collected in prior years, which enabled new mapping capabilities, insights and outreach opportunities.

Finally, the county was acknowledged for its innovative Storm Watch and Response website, which offers weather updates, road closure information, interactive maps, and details on the county’s preparedness efforts along with resources to help residents prepare for and respond to major storms.

San Bernardino County was among the top 10 counties that participated in an awards ceremony during the annual NACo Conference on Friday, July 12, in Florida.

For more information about the county’s efforts to advance innovation and technology, please visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/it/.

Additional County Update News – July 25, 2024