We’re tops in tech! King County has been named the nation’s #1 Top Digital County by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties. The group surveys public IT departments around the country annually for effectiveness.

This year, technology played a vital role fighting the pandemic as a rapid digital transformation from King County Information Technology’s (KCIT) and IT leaders around the County helped keep people safer. “It was…one of the best examples in the survey of both recovery from and response to the pandemic,” said the Digital County judges.

“It’s about digital transformation and merging the physical and digital spaces,” said Tanya Hannah, Chief Information Officer for King County and Director of KCIT. “If COVID taught us anything, it’s that people want to connect with government wherever and whenever, using whatever technology they have available.”

Here’s a small sample of how King County leveraged technology to better serve the employees and the public:

• Better collaboration and productivity. The County moved from Skype to a more stable, collaborative communications platform, Teams. This has allowed onsite, mobile or teleworking employees increase collaboration and better productivity of teams using features like IM / chat, meeting and provides a one-stop” location for SharePoint, OneNote and Office tools. A whiteboard feature will soon be available!
• Improving employee experience. The Business Resource Center rolled out a more efficient travel and expense tool, Concur. This tool allows employees to electronically submit receipts, seek reimbursements and schedule travel. In addition, new capabilities were introduced such as the ability to use any mobile device to update personal information and benefit enrollment choices.
• Future of Work. KCIT developed a Future of Work site to support employees in whatever way they may be working, including fully remote, hybrid or in-person. Conference room technology updates, and County facilities updates support new ways of working, including hot-desking/hotel style reservations for employees working in a hybrid model.
• No-contact virtual services. King County residents can now access a number of online services such as Zoom for Telehealth; video conferencing for jury selection and witness testimony; and virtual plumbing permitting inspections.
• Paperless transactions. More than 92% of King County’s paper permits moved online.
• Senior Tax Exemption. Seniors, veterans or disabled homeowners can check if they’re eligible for property tax breaks easily online, which improves tax equity.

Congratulations to KCIT and fellow King County employees whose hard work and innovation are reflected in this award!