Augusta Shines Bright in the Digital Age!
It’s official! The beautiful city of Augusta has landed itself in the spotlight, snagging the impressive seventh spot among cities of its size for its incredible use of technology to improve public services. That’s right! A recent announcement from the city highlighted Augusta’s efforts to enhance cybersecurity and push for digital equity, making it a place that prioritizes its residents’ needs.
A Commitment to Technology
City Administrator Tameka Allen, who has just moved into her new role from the helm of the Information Technology department, expressed immense pride in achieving this ranking. “This ranking is a testament to our commitment to advancing technology in ways that protect and empower our community,” said Allen. Adding that the city’s IT team is determined to build reliable and accessible services for everyone. And who could argue with that? It’s clear Augusta is stepping up its game!
Over the years, Augusta has been consistently recognized in this Digital Cities survey. This year’s winners were officially revealed on November 5 and were celebrated at the Digital Cities Awards event held during the National League of Cities City Summit in sunny Tampa Bay, Florida. Talk about a sweet reward for hard work!
Leading by Example
Looking deeper into these exciting results, it seems like cities across the nation, no matter their size, are redefining what’s possible using technology to provide better government services. John Matelski, the executive director of the Centre for Digital Government, summed it up quite nicely when he said, “Cities of every size are redefining what’s possible using technology to elevate public service and improve government.” A sentiment that surely resonates with many Augusta residents.
Now, in the same population category ranging from 125,000 to 249,999, Augusta found itself behind only Scottsdale, Arizona, which took first place. Scottsdale made some buzz-worthy advances, expanding citywide data governance and paving the way for innovation in areas like business intelligence, AI, and much more. They even constructed a whopping 100 miles of new fiber conduits—wow!
Rising to Challenges
But what about Augusta? This year’s survey responses highlighted how the city handled a challenging ransomware attack in 2023, which prompted a major overhaul in cybersecurity. Augusta now boasts an AI-supported extended detection and response tool, an improved backup system, and a brand-new endpoint detection and response system. Talk about stepping up to the plate!
Tameka Allen also elaborated on how the IT department had to rethink its workforce strategy after witnessing a significant turnover of staff due to retirements and other departures. In a smart move, they eliminated unfilled positions, used leftover funds to increase retention, and bolstered the salaries of new recruits—a strategy that closed all vacancies by January 2024. That’s the kind of forward-thinking that sets a city apart!
Embracing Digital Tools
Augusta is also making strides in digital asset management and service requests. They are utilizing mapping features to efficiently dispatch teams for service requests, and employees in the field can now view new requests in real-time. This kind of technological advancement truly empowers the city’s workforce to serve the public better.
On top of all that, the city is using digital tools to get feedback from some of its most vulnerable residents—those experiencing homelessness. Through surveys conducted via digital means, Augusta is collecting valuable insights that can help enhance the support and services provided to these individuals.
In a world that’s moving ever faster towards digital solutions, Augusta is proving that it’s not just keeping up, it’s leading the way! With a firm commitment to improving public services through technology, one thing is for sure: Augusta is definitely a city to watch!
