Introducing the 2024 MACo Celebratory Blog Series: Showcasing the Remarkable Achievements of Maryland's Award-Winning Counties!
Join us on this exciting journey as we embark on a special blog series dedicated to honoring the exceptional accomplishments of the counties that triumphed in the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Achievement Awards. Each week, we will shine a well-deserved spotlight on a few remarkable counties, taking a deeper dive into their accomplishments, innovative initiatives, and the profound impact they have had on their communities.
Technology Services
Howard County received seventeen awards in this category.
APX Radio Management Project
The Department of Technology and Communication Services (DTCS) radio group implemented APX Radio Management for its radio network that includes 4,131 individual subscriber radios spread across the County's various
emergency services and general government departments, reaping many benefits, while spending very little money. The team identified four rigorous objectives and met each one, ultimately before the impact of COVID-19. Since the 2020 upgrade, the team added two key features to Radio Management to increase its automation and effectiveness. By implementing this program, the Radio Department eliminated a contractor position and added a new position to cover those duties alongside radio updates and maintenance. Time saved via Radio Management's automation of processes enabled the Radio Group to reach out and provide direct support of emergency services operations, resulting in a win-win for the team, Howard County Police and Fire and Rescue Services, and the Public.
Broadband Team's Public-Private Partnership
The Department of Technology and Communications Services (DTCS) Broadband Team partnered with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) to install diverse fiber to a new building that APL leases in Maple Lawn, a
rapidly growing community. Diverse fiber enabled the APL Team to connect that site with extremely high-speed Broadband between APL's main location and this building. Under the Broadband team's oversight, the construction, splicing and testing was completed. Installing diverse fiber to the new building in Maple Lawn was a tremendous asset, not only to Howard County and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, but also for the developer, property owner, and management company. By encouraging businesses to remain local as they continue to grow, the project increased tax dollars and provided a revenue stream for Broadband initiatives. It also created revenue for the developer and building owner.
Customer Service Tracking Tool for DPZ
The County's Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) requested a customer service tool to help keep track of cases that come in from the public. These cases are questions related to agriculture, code violations, general/community plans,
historic resources/HPC, permit status, and more. This new tool, created by a developer in the Department of Technology and Communication Services (DTCS), allows for more streamlined recording of new cases and updating of existing ones. Additionally, this tool allows for filtering cases by name or address of the property/development, contact name, file number, inquiry status, staff, and/or open/closed status, with the option to export the filtered/unfiltered cases to Microsoft Excel. After detailed scoping and requirements gathering, a tool was built to meet four primary objectives of the stakeholders in only one month's time. The tool was added to the existing Department of Public Works (DPW)/DPZ application – used across the County by various groups in both departments – in order to meet the requirements within the limited timeframe.
Expanded Cybersecurity Training
Phishing attacks are a serious concern for government organizations, as they are a successful method for gaining
unauthorized access to state and local government networks. To best prepare employees to identify and report phishing attempts, the Department of Technology and Communication Services expanded its existing cybersecurity training program to require all employees to undergo monthly mandatory updated phishing exercises. The training is customized to the skillset of the audience. Furthermore, employees are expected to complete remedial training if they fail the original exercises. Since the launch of the expanded training program, the team has seen a significant increase in phishing awareness and reporting, proving employees are now better skilled at identifying and reporting phishing attempts. The expanded cybersecurity training has helped prevent potential data breaches and other security incidents.
Implementation of New Human Resources Information System
Seeking to both upgrade its payroll system and streamline its Human Resources and Payroll process, Howard County's Human Resources (HR) and Department of Technology and Communication Services (DTCS) teams implemented a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS) which provides enhanced data security, improved data features, and greater access and convenience for users. This new system empowers the users to update their personal information and elections such as personal address changes, tax withholdings and direct deposit all on a secure platform. The HRIS eliminated much of the previous paper processing, as well as the manual work. In just twelve months, that included a well-designed employee communications campaign, the teams rolled out a true self-service portal, along with the free MyADP app. With the new HRIS, employees are empowered to access their compensation information and human resources personal data to complete tasks that typically require the assistance of HR and Payroll personnel.
Innovative Electronic Plans Review System
The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning has developed an electronic plans review process using a software called ProjectDox. This software allows for the electronic submission of plan documents along with reports and studies.
Multiple internal and external review agencies now have simultaneous access to conduct their review, enabling better communication and collaboration. This system has most recently been moved to the cloud granting greater efficiencies and continuous software maintenance by the hosting company. Additional plan review workflows have been added overtime, including a recent endeavor to add Zoning Division processes to the system, along with DPZ's red-line and alternative compliance processes. DPZ no longer has to print and distribute large sets of plan drawings and reports, and internal and external customers no longer have to drive to the County building to pick up plan sets. In addition to time saved, paper and fuel are also saved, aligning with the County's mission to help improve the local environment.
Installing Public WiFi at the Fairgrounds
The Department of Technology and Communication Service (DTCS) Network team needed to install WiFi at the county's fairgrounds in just over a month's time. Working with a Memo of Understanding (MOU) and engaging a contractor,
the Network team had to verify the county's owned fiber at the fairgrounds, determine the switch location, and wireless access point (AP) locations. The team was challenged to complete the work using existing hardware due to some of the lead times of procuring equipment. The network and access points were activated on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, and the covered area either met or exceeded the expected coverage. The results of this project enable the county to continually expand its free and public wireless network access to its residents and vendors who visit the Howard County Fairgrounds.
IT's Contribution to Improved CAD Routing
To improve upon response time to people calling from pathways, trails, and sidewalks, the 911 CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) administrator engaged the Geographic Information System (GIS) team to incorporate spatial pedestrian routes into the routable street centerline network. By incorporating these routes, responders can improve the chances of reaching people in distress more quickly. A person can call 911 from a trail deep within a park, and their location will snap to the nearest trail or pathway allowing a dispatcher to route the first responder close to the caller's location with more known certainty. The initiative was performed by a GIS analyst on the Department of Technology and Communication Services (DTCS) GIS team, collaborating with a 911 CAD administrator. The project includes working with non-county GIS data, such as trail data from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for State Parks and Open Space, and existing software and tools. The current centerline network contains over 178 additional miles of trails and pathways with more to come. For 2023, since adding the pedestrian segment to the routable network, there have been 284 police and 23 fire calls for service routed to the pedestrian portion of the network.
IT's Contribution to Boards and Commissions Application
The Department of Technology and Communication Services (DTCS) seized an opportunity presented by Howard County Administration to create a Boards and Commissions application to assist constituents in the application and tracking
process. The project was a three-step process for the team responsible for developing the application. Their work resulted in creating a database inside the department's ServiceNow platform for tracking all the County's boards and commissions, a second database that enables tracking of all constituents who apply to serve on a board or commission, and creating a portal in which constituents can apply to serve on the County's boards and commissions. The application provides up-to-date information and enables applicants to receive responses faster than when it was a paper-based process. Furthermore, it collects new information such as pronouns and pronunciation that shows the County respects constituents' identities and removes technical barriers by providing clear expectations, commitment, and attachment instructions.
Together, let's explore the remarkable stories behind these award-winning counties, and draw inspiration from their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a positive difference. View all 2024 NACo Achievement Award winners through their interactive and searchable map.
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