WILLIAMSBURG — The Center for Digital Government (CDG) recently announced the winners of its 2024 Digital Cities Survey, and the City of Williamsburg placed fourth in the United States for cities with populations less than 75,000.
The annual survey recognizes cities utilizing technology to enhance digital services and transparency, strengthen cybersecurity, digital privacy rights, and digital equity, and those finding innovative ways to support solutions for social challenges facing cities today.
This year, the City of Williamsburg noted it was recognized for hiring its first data analyst and standing up its first data governance program. The performance management program allows the city to develop its own public-facing dashboards and metrics, saving thousands of dollars annually by moving away from third-party tools.
The program uses existing tools like Power BI to keep the City’s data and key performance indicators as accurate as possible with real-time updates.
CDG also recognized the city for its work to plan for recovery in the case of a cybersecurity incident; modernizing public safety buildings, including the work to equip a new Emergency Operations Center with state-of-the-art technology; and recruiting a new Internet service provider to the city in an effort to drive down costs for itself and residents, the city said.
“Efficiency is critical to ensuring that City of Williamsburg residents enjoy the best possible service for the lowest tax rate of any city in Virginia,” Chief Information Officer Mark Barham said. “Despite our small staff, Williamsburg has found ways to save money and better serve our residents – whether it is public-facing programs or behind-the-scenes
