Orange County Four-Peats with Digital Counties Survey Award Win By: Orange County Communications Department
For the fourth year in a row, Orange County has been recognized by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a Digital Counties Survey Award winner. Orange County ranked tenth nationwide among counties of up to 150,000 residents. The survey identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services. Expansive in scope, some of the fields evaluated by the survey include Constituent Digital Experience, Continuous Innovation, Cyber Risk Management, Data Management and Use, Resilience, and Broadband Expansion, among others.
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Digital Counties Survey awards particularly recognize a county’s information technology department since they are the primary personnel responsible for digital advancement within an organization. However, the whole organization should be proud of the achievement, since innovation takes place within each department in a variety of ways. For example, this year’s nomination recognized efforts related to our Library Department, Office on Youth, Human Resources Department, Emergency Communications Center, Real Estate Assessment Office, and many more! Historically, Orange County has fared especially well in the components of this survey related to public safety, fiber internet service, and innovative applications of technology. That trend continued this year with recognition of the new Real Estate Assessment Department’s “technocentric” model (which allows Orange County to conduct accurate assessments in-house without the high level of staffing that comes with traditional models) as well as our GIS division’s work to collaborate with public safety agencies on risk management maps. Broadband expansion marched on as FiberLync continued to connect more households using the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) 2024 grant. When complete, over 96% of all Orange County addresses will have access to high speed internet! Other Orange County’s digital advancements recognized this year included improved customer experiences such as the Arux platform utilized by the Office on Youth’s childcare program, refined library data management and inventory practices, and how technology, as demonstrated by the Mindbase element of of our Critical Responder Peer Mentor Program, can bridge empathy and accessibility by offering streamlined access to both preventive care and crisis support. Mindbase empowers critical responders (an intentionally broad term which encompasses traditional public safety personnel as well as supportive staff who may be exposed to traumatic events) to use digital resources, like a mobile app, to conveniently and confidentially access supports like peer mentors and professional counselors whenever they choose. Residents should rest assured that Orange County will continue to make advancements in the digital sphere. The recognition is appreciated, but the goal is always to provide ever-improving services to our community. For more information about Orange County’s submission and digital initiatives, please contact Larry Clement, Orange County Information Technology Director, at (540) 661-5443. To view the CDG’s press release or learn more about the Digital Counties Survey, please visit: www.govtech.com/dc/digital-counties/digital-counties-survey-2025-winners-announced.
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OCI July 2025
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