Contact:
Viggo Forde
CIO and Director of IT
Viggo.Forde@snoco.org
425-388-3739
Snohomish County is Awarded First Place in National Survey
Award acknowledges county’s significant efforts to improve service and provide effective government operations
EVERETT, Wash., July, 21, 2019 – This month, the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association for Counties (NACo) announced the winners of the 17th annual Digital Counties Survey. Snohomish County won first place in the 500,000-999,999 population category.
“Winning first place in the digital surveys award is an honor and a recognition of Snohomish County’s commitment to providing the best possible service to our residents,” said Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive. “We will continue to use technology to innovate and address our high priority issues. We appreciate the recognition for the county and the talents of our IT staff. We will continue to lead by pushing for smart technology solutions.”
Snohomish County received the award for its innovative solutions to the challenges faced by local government. The county’s CIO and director of the Department of Information Technology, Viggo Forde, set out to change the culture of government technology and to utilize a more collaborative approach to addressing the various IT needs. Snohomish County adopted a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to keep data more secure and protect the continuity of government operations. In addition, the county’s annual Information Services Plan and Report is a model for other counties.
“Our team is honored to receive this award and proud to be leaders in digital government,” said Forde. “Making the lives of county residents and employees easier through smart use of technology motivates us. As our operations grow, so does the need for tools and technologies to better serve our residents in an efficient and effective manner. We will continue to innovate and invest in new solutions to achieve our goals and enhance our services.”
The Digital Counties Survey, conducted by CDG in partnership with NACo, identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services, encourage collaboration and shared services, and enhance cybersecurity..
For the full list of winners, please visit: https://www.govtech.com/dc/digital-counties/Digital-Counties-Survey-2019--Winners-Announced.html.
About Snohomish County
Snohomish County is the third largest county in the State of Washington by population and one of the fastest growing counties in the country. Snohomish County is home to the largest manufacturing facility in the world and is one of the top tourist destinations in the region. From the waves of Puget Sound to the ice fields of Glacier Peak, Snohomish County has diverse ecosystems, while also being home to a thriving agriculture industry and dynamic urban centers. Learn more at: www.snohomishcountywa.gov .
About The Center for Digital Government
The Center for Digital Government (CDG) is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. CDG is a division of e. Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
About The National Association of Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.