How do local communities use information technology to better serve the public?

Come to our September meeting and hear an update on Danbury’s current IT projects and what is planned for the future. As residents of Danbury and surrounding towns and municipalities you should learn how Danbury taxes are being spent on their IT offerings and what that means to its citizens.

Wade Anderson of the City of Danbury Data Processing Department will describe in detail how technology is used in the city to maintain day-to-day government operations. Mr. Anderson will give DACS members the opportunity to ask questions and make comments, which could influence future directions of the department and give people living in other communities some ideas about what questions to ask the people serving them.

Mr. Anderson will describe what has happened in IT over the last 3 years since he last spoke to us, what is currently underway and what is in the future plan. His presentation will describe how technology is used to serve local government, business and the general public. He will provide an update on current applications and how Danbury continues to make improvements in services using the new technologies available.
More specifically, Wade Anderson will discuss the following:

• New GIS initiatives. Danbury has one of the finest GIS databases in the state. Hear how the average citizen can use them.
• Installation of the second generation of computer equipment in police patrol cars and fire apparatus. Hear what this equipment can do to better serve you.
• New equipment that is going into both the police and fire departments, and a new interim dispatch center that is being planned.
• The new police station which is starting to become clearer to all involved as it moves from concept to engineering and architectural drawings. The every two-week project meetings go into an incredible amount of detail. You can be sure there will be technology advances included in this project.
• Several brand new initiatives that are on the horizon. One is computerizing the Elmwood Senior Center, another is in the parks and recreation department.
• How the city deals with virus/spam/spyware. He won't disclose all that is being done, but would welcome input from the membership.
• The boring details of our recent General Ledger upgrade (just kidding). However, the city runs a full set of ERP software for finance/administration and public safety activities and how that makes the city government operate smoothly.
• The redesign of the city web page. Here is another opportunity for you to tell us how we should be doing it. Constituent input would be very welcome and we are at the point where suggestions could be accepted and implemented.

The presentation will be rich with content pertinent to Danbury residents and adjoining areas, and Wade Anderson will explore the future and the directions citizens want their city to go.

DACS meetings are held at the Danbury Hospital auditorium. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m. with registration and casual networking. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. with a general question and answer period (Ask DACS) and a discussion of what’s new in technology followed by a short break. The featured evening presentation begins at 8:00.

As a reminder, our General Meetings are free and open to the public so invite anyone you know who would be interested in this topic.