The city of Tempe has been recognized for its stellar use of digital technology, landing the City Government Project Experience Award as announced this week. The Center for Digital Government, which is a respected body on technology policy and best practices in the government sector, has honored only 13 cities nationwide, with Tempe making the elite list. This accolade comes in light of the city's impressive Wastewater BioIntel Program and its City Council Strategic Priorities and Performance Measures Hub.
Awarded for creating a responsive government and enhancing community experiences, Tempe's experience with innovation is not a new affair. The measures hub and biointel program have both been pivotal in pushing the envelope for transparency and efficiency. Mayor Corey Woods acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the projects and their role in aligning with the city’s strategic goals. According to a recent press release, Mayor Woods said, “These two programs are the result of years of collaboration, partnership and hard work to research, design, and establish solutions and strategies that make progress toward Tempe’s strategic priorities.”
The city's approach is centered around five strategic priorities including safety, community connections, quality of life, sustainable growth, and financial stability. The Performance Measures Hub serves as a key tool for the public and city officials to track the progress on these priorities. Wydale Holmes, the Director of Strategic Management and Innovation Office explained the significance of inclusivity and performance. He told the Tempe newsletter, “The City of Tempe is deeply rooted in its commitment to be an inclusive, transparent, and high performing organization. This commitment is exemplified through the City Council Strategic Plan where the Council's priorities and direction are clearly identified, measured, and available for everyone to review.”
Regarding the testing of Tempe’s wastewater for community health indicators, the BioIntel Program has been in place since 2018 and serves as a bellwether for public health trends, from COVID-19 prevalence to opioid use. Originally designed to generate actionable data for emergency responders and health partners, the program now tests over 21 biomarkers, weaving into the city's ongoing commitment to improving quality of life and ensuring secure communities. “Studying wastewater provides cities, emergency responders and health partners with actionable data for operations and strategies,” said Holmes as reported by the City of Tempe.
Tempe's affinity for data-driven decision-making has added yet another feather to its cap with 2023 What Works Cities Certification at the Platinum level, one of only five cities globally to reach this mark. The certification acknowledges local governments that adeptly employ data to shape policies and services, build operational efficiencies, and engage residents. Those interested in learning more about these initiatives or have questions can reach out to the city's Office of Strategic Management and Innovation or the Data Enterprise & Analytics team via email or by calling Tempe 311.
