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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 200%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">November 30, 2016</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 75px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Jim Chapdelaine
<br />Chief Information Officer
<br />Information Technology
<br />573-874-7646</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:200%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Columbia named as Digital Cities Survey winner for second year</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Center for Digital Government announced the winners of the 2016 Digital Cities Survey and again, Columbia ranks in the top 10 of cities our size. The annual survey recognizes cities using technology to improve citizen services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year Columbia ranked sixth, up from seventh place last year. The surveys are judged by considering 10 key characteristics of a digital city: open, mobile, engaged, collaborative, secure, staffed/supported, connected, efficient, resilient and innovative. There are six criteria by which the responses were evaluated: city priorities supported by information technology; demonstrated return on investment; progress over the previous year; creative/innovative approaches; effective collaboration; and successful measures of transparency, privacy and security.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"This award represents a team effort to improve services for the citizens of Columbia. Each member of IT did their part to make this award a reality for the second year in a row," Assistant Director of Information Technology Mark Neckerman said. "It is truly an honor to work with such a talented and dedicated group of IT professionals."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The judges listed the available information about the 2016-2019 Strategic Plan as one of the highlights of Columbia. The plan focuses on economy, social equity, public safety, infrastructure and operational excellence. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We're honored that the judges saw value in our work to connect residents with information about the City and the Strategic Plan through the Community Dashboard and other new web components developed by our exceptional City staff," Assistant City Manager Carol Rhodes said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The judges highlighted the use of the City's website, CoMo.gov, to deliver information by using maps to show development, City projects, code enforcement and more.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Maps are a great way to tell complex stories and patterns in a visual manner. We are happy to help Columbia become more transparent in more ways that reach more people" Geospatial Services Manager Matt Gerike said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City's online Community Dashboard has evolved over the past year to include the boundaries of the Strategic Plan Focus Neighborhoods in addition to other information provided.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"One of the most helpful tools they developed to advance their vision for the city is the Community Dashboard," judges said. "This Esri-powered tool enables users and government officials to layer different kinds of data on a map to help determine which communities most need help" and how the community is changing.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The judges noted the City's efforts to make online resources also available on mobile devices.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Because lower-income families are less likely to own computers, some residents rely only on smartphones for Internet access," judges said. "Redesigning web pages with mobile use in mind better serves these constituents' needs."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The award was presented at the National League of Cities conference in Pittsburgh. The annual Digital Cities Survey is conducted from July to August and all cities, towns, villages and consolidated city/county governments are invited to participate. Columbia was in a category that included cities with populations ranging from 75,000 to 124,999. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To learn more about the Strategic Plan, click this link: </span><a href="../../strategic-plan"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.como.gov/strategic-plan</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To visit the Community Dashboard, click this link: </span><a href="http://www.como.gov/Maps/Dashboard/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">http://www.como.gov/Maps/Dashboard/</span></a></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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