“Dwindling revenue coupled with increased demand for services is something I see in many cities and counties, and it’s pushing us to be creative, flexible, and collaborative,” responds Jacobs, when asked about the challenges facing managers today. “This is a good thing, but it makes our task more challenging.”
Pierce County, Washington, has 3,000 employees serving 800,000 public customers, and it has 24 separate departments with different technology needs. Its diverse population lives in both urban and remote, rural areas. Layoffs and other budget pressures made it increasingly difficult to provide necessary services to residents. Mobile technology has played a key role in helping the county meet its mission despite a struggling economy and tight budgets.
To help communities after a disaster, the International Economic Development Council developed RestoreYourEconomy.org where resources can be added.
What attracted attention on the Knowledge Network during 2012? What information did visitors find most interesting? Which blog posts resonated with readers?