As I sit here and write this, I am typing on my MacBook Air, which is directly in front of my dual monitored Windows-based PC, which is above my server, and I’m bracketed by a desk phone, iPad, and my iPhone. That’s just the technology in my office. Absurd? Probably. Uncommon? Probably not.
It’s the convenience I have grown accustomed to and what many public entities are fighting to support. A consumer group that heavily values instant access to information, sports’ scores, news, road closings, weather, and other emergency information. So, how does one of the fastest growing cities in the nation keep up with these trends and not spend half the budget doing it?
Planning & Efficiency
Frisco has been very diligent in setting standards as high as possible for transparency and ISO ratings. This diligence has forced smart technology infrastructure and software decisions that both play to the public’s needs as well as internal needs. A “business first, technology second” mentality ensures they look at the process, then select the appropriate technology thanks to Curt Balogh, Director of Information Technology Services, City of Frisco.
Things I found interesting:
- There are 17 facilities to support from the centralized IT system
- There are over 1,000 desktops (excluding FISD) & 900 telephones
- The GIS system.
- This is some super-cool technology that allows you to see parks, restaurants and other venue’s in layers that you dictate.
- The S.A.F.E.R. program.
- This is all about our kids safety and ensuring that emergency response is as effective and timely as possible.
Natural Partners
In today’s environment, one of the most natural pairs the city has is Information Systems and Communications. The website has to stay current and be able to support a lot of traffic (over 2.2M page views in 2012). Additionally, there are newsletters, cable channels, special event management, media relations, and bulletin boards to maintain. All of these resources require constant governing to ensure we are getting current and accurate information.
Things I found interesting:
- Focal Point newsletter exists to inform all of us.
- Frisco has a cable channel on Time Warner Cable, AT&T U-verse, Verizon FiOS, and Grande Communications
- The Community Bulletin Board can be used to share information with the public.
- Volunteers in Frisco ROCK!!!
- There are over 5,000 of you out there that support our city on a regular basis. As we grow, we’ll need more, but thank you to all of you that already participate!!! Learn more about how you can volunteer here!
Words of Encouragement
If you’ve found this series of articles interesting, take the next step to discover more about the place where you live!
Frisco City Hall 101 is a free program, designed to give citizens a behind-the-scenes look at how city hall and other municipal facilities operate. The 15-week program takes place on Monday evenings, and when concluded, participants will ‘graduate’ from this citizens’ academy.
Hear from Mayor Maher Maso, city managers, department directors and key city staff. Find out what it takes to build roads and parks and to plan for Frisco’s future growth. If you want to learn more, please sign up for the next Frisco City Hall 101 class!
