Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Boone County Wins Digital Counties Survey Award
July 13, 2010
Boone County has received a 2010 Digital Counties Survey Award from e.Republic's Center for Digital Government. The survey is an annual study by the Center and the National Association of Counties (NACo) which identifies best practices and recognizes those counties that provide exemplary electronic service to their public. Boone County tied for fourth place out of ten spots with Gaston County, N.C. in the 150,000 to 249,999 population category.
To be eligible for an award, Boone County's Information Technology Department submitted several explanatory narratives on how technologies deployed improve life for government employees, citizens or both. The County's entry focused on the “Poll Worker Portal”, a new computer program that allows workers to request to work in the next election, pick a training slot and request to work specific poll locations. The application's design features large buttons, large font, minimal graphical elements, and clear instructions to meet the needs of retired seniors with limited computer experience. The system improved inefficiencies and aided in recruiting and retaining college-age poll workers. The April 6, 2010 election was the first time the application was made available.
Digital Communities Director, Todd Sander, said, "The survey data we collected shows that counties of all sizes are rising to meet the current economic challenge. They are finding impressive new ways to use ICT to deliver affordable public service at the very time many people expect and need more from their government. Congratulations to all the winners!"
"Across America counties continue working to balance their local priorities with new responsibilities passed to them from the federal and state governments," said NACo Executive Director Larry E. Naake. "The Digital Counties Survey identifies the very best examples of how counties are aligning technology to support strategic priorities and create crucial operational and administrative efficiencies."
Boone County Collector Patricia S. Lensmeyer and Boone County Southern District Commissioner Karen M. Miller will accept the award on behalf of the County Saturday, July 17 at the NaCo 2010 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Reno, Nev.
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