Tompkins County

This speech by Phil Bertolini, CIO of Oakland County, Michigan, outlines his strategic philosophy for government, emphasizing the importance of public service. It details an innovative approach to leveraging technology through shared services, such as the G2G Cloud Solutions platform and the G2G Marketplace, to provide efficient and cost-effective services to smaller government entities. The core strategic pillars focus on providing, serving, and helping citizens, driven by a clear understanding of the 'why' behind public service, rather than profit. The intended outcome is to continually adapt and enhance government services to meet the evolving needs of future generations through strong partnerships and a commitment to public welfare.

The board discussed a structured approach to website accessibility and compliance, including staff training and the use of the SiteImprove tool for analytics. Key initiatives included the implementation of social media archiving via Pagefreezer to ensure legal and FOIL compliance, as well as the development of updated social media policies regarding moderation and engagement. The communications team reviewed performance metrics and staffing capacity constraints. Additionally, the board discussed funding allocations for New York 250 community projects, planned collaborative library events, and addressed recruitment efforts for vacant board positions.

The board discussed strategic goals regarding the expansion of County services into rural areas and the development of a community survey to assess resident knowledge. Recommendations were made to improve website ADA compliance through accessibility testing and tracking resident inquiries. Additionally, planning for the upcoming 'History of Journalism' event at the library was reviewed, including adding the event to the local calendar and drafting a press release. The board also addressed current board member recruitment efforts.

The Committee meeting covered several key administrative items. Discussions included the renewal of the Thomas County Department of Motor Vehicles lease, which includes a termination clause for flexibility. The committee authorized a multi-year payroll software service agreement with Ultimate Kronos Group, noting built-in cost increases and the benefit of streamlined procurement. Additionally, the committee deliberated on proposed updates to the administrative policy manual regarding social media usage. Key focus areas for this policy update included ensuring alignment with recent Supreme Court case law regarding public comments, establishing training and archiving requirements, and creating a centralized inventory of social media accounts. Amendments regarding specific language on misinformation and incitement were discussed and ultimately deferred for further legal review.

The committee discussed the renewal of the Department of Motor Vehicles lease and approved the appropriation of funds to replace a damaged highway division sign truck. A report was presented regarding data collection and service metrics at the History Center. Additionally, the committee reviewed a resolution to apply for a grant to support district geothermal expansion projects for county facilities.