The City of Long Beach is calling on its residents to chime in on the future of local tech. A new community survey, plus a series of workshops, aim to gather public input for TID 26, the city's upcoming short-term IT strategic plan, as part of an initiative to enhance public access to technology and ensure city services are informed by data and technology.
City officials are pushing for broad participation, stating, "Everyone deserves access to high-quality technology public services, and we want to hear from our residents and businesses so we can offer efficient, quality services that meet the needs of our community," Mayor Rex Richardson said, according to the City of Long Beach. He facilitates the involvement of the local community by urging them to take part in the upcoming workshops designed for both residents and local businesses.
The plan, dubbed TID 26, is set to align with Long Beach's 2030 Strategic Vision, focusing on improving equitable tech access and bolstering citizen engagement with city services. Available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, the community survey will remain open until May 17, offering a platform for feedback on technological needs and areas of improvement. Long Beach's Technology and Innovation Department (TID) Director Lea Eriksen highlighted the importance of community involvement, "I look forward to engaging with the Long Beach Community during our upcoming TID 26 workshops," she told the city's communication channels.
Not just listening, the TID also plans to put words into action. Workshops scheduled for May 13 and 14 for residents and businesses, respectively, promise interactive sessions where attendees can expect to discuss and contribute to the city's tech future, as per the City of Long Beach. Those wishing to participate can register online, and, those in need, can request language interpretation or other accessibility services during the registration process. Mistakes, after all, can be valuable – provided that they're caught in time.
Upon aggregation of community feedback through surveys and workshops, TID 26 will be refined for presentation to the City Council in summer 2024. The strategic plan is not a solo flight; it builds on Long Beach's existing stratagems like the Smart City Initiative and the Digital Inclusion Roadmap. Moreover, with an eye on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, it's a part of broader preparation movements.
