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Tompkins County again this year has been recognized as one of the nation's top digital counties by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo).  The award identifies best technology practices among U.S. counties nationwide, recognizing leading examples of counties that use technology to improve services and boost efficiencies.

The top-ten ranking was based on the County's digital achievements in the categories of civic engagement; policy; operations; and technology and data.  Tompkins County also achieved top-ten rankings in 2013 and 2014.

Tompkins County was recognized for digital endeavors including its use of its Laserfiche electronic content management system, which is deployed in all 28 county departments and provides records hosting for the county's other 16 municipalities. Thus far, the project has saved the municipalities more than $328,000 annually; it ultimately saved the County $5.5 million through automation of various business processes and digitizing of 9,000 boxes of records in its records center. The County is moving toward extending the Laserfiche system beyond county borders.

"Collaboration and shared services should be the norm in government, not an innovation," said Tompkins County Clerk Maureen Reynolds. "The inter-governmental relationships developed are important, redundancy is eliminated, government becomes transparent, and it provides substantial cost-savings to all parties involved."

"Digital counties have evolved to recognize the value of technology, empower their tech leaders and use new ideas to make life better for everyone who lives and does business in the county," said Todd Sander, executive director, CDG. "The Center for Digital Government congratulates this year's winners for their work to innovate, improve transparency and proactively address citizen demands and expectations."

"Modern technology allows counties across the country to innovate, providing citizens with smarter, more cost-effective services," said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. "The Digital Counties Survey recognizes county innovations that truly benefit our communities and, by extension, America."

Tompkins County ranked in tenth position in the up to 150,000 population category.

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