From the city…

For the fifth year in a row, the Center for Digital Government has ranked the City of Charlottesville as one of the Top Ten Digital Cities in America. The ranking is based on the 2008 Digital Cities Survey and examines how city governments utilize digital technologies to better service their citizens and streamline operations to increase efficiencies. The comprehensive survey includes an assessment of how municipalities are using emerging technologies, integrating digital means of delivering customer service, and saving resources by providing efficiencies through the use of technology. The City recently added podcasting of City meetings to its website and GPS tracking to allow customers to track their bus using real time information.

Charlottesville moved up one spot this year and was ranked fifth in its population category (30,000-74,999), while Lynchburg, VA received the top honor. For large cities, Aurura, Colorado was this year’s number one.

“Using technology to become more efficient has been a priority of the City,” said City Manager Gary O’Connell. “The goal is to better serve our citizens, and from the front lines of City Hall to our website, better use of technology has worked hand in hand with great personal customer service.”

“This year’s winners reflect that even with budgetary challenges, cities are placing a high value on citizen engagement and improved services,” said Cathilea Robinett, executive director for the Center for Digital Government. “Cities are incorporating newer technologies such as Webcasting, podcasts and blogs while continuing to use information technology to enhance delivery options for citizens and businesses.”

Full list of winners after the break…

Center for Digital Government’s 2008 Digital Cities Survey winners:

250,000 or more population category:
1st City of Aurora, Colo.
2nd City of Virginia Beach, Va.
3rd City of Miami, Fla.
4th City of Tucson, Ariz.
5th City of Tampa, Fla.
6th City of Riverside, Calif.
7th City of Mesa, Ariz.
8th City of Corpus Christi, Texas
9th Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, Tenn.
10th City of Honolulu, Hawaii (tie)
10th City of Houston, Texas (tie)

125,000-249,999 population category:
1st City of Lincoln, Neb.
2nd City of Winston-Salem, N.C. (tie)
2nd Salt Lake City, Utah (tie)
3rd City of Madison, Wisc.
4th City of Alexandria, Va.
5th City of Norfolk, Va.
6th City of Irving, Texas
7th City of Hampton, Va. (tie)
7th City of Hollywood, Fla. (tie)
8th City of Cape Coral, Fla. (tie)
8th City of Richmond, Va. (tie)
9th City of Chesapeake, Va. (tie)
9th City of Lakewood, Colo. (tie)
10th City of Durham, N.C.

75,000 – 124,999 population category:
1st City of Roanoke, Va.
2nd City of Independence, Mo. (tie)
2nd City of West Palm Beach, Fla. (tie)
3rd City of Richardson, Texas (tie)
3rd City of Santa Monica, Calif. (tie)
4th City of Arvada, Colo.
5th City of Orem, Utah
6th City of Lawrence, Kan.
7th City of Ann Arbor, Mich. (tie)
7th City of Westminster, Colo. (tie)
8th City of Boulder, Colo.
9th City of Lee’s Summit, Mo.
10th City of Pueblo, Colo.

30,000 – 74,999 population category:
1st City of Lynchburg, Va.
2nd Town of Flower Mound, Texas
3rd Town of Jupiter, Fla.
4th Town of Blacksburg, Va.
5th City of Charlottesville, Va.
6th City of Annapolis, Md.
7th City of Medford, Ore.
8th City of Delray Beach, Fla.
9th Town of Manchester, Conn.
10th City of Boynton Beach, Fla.

[pic]

Related posts:

1. 0101011110000101010010101010100000
2. Charlottesville Wins Another Award
3. There’s A New Sister in Town