Ann Arbor named No. 6 'Best Digital City' in the country

Posted on Sat, Nov 20, 2010 : 6 a.m.

Ann Arbor's digital prowess was recognized for the third year in a row as the city was named the No. 6 "Best Digital City" in the country by e.Republic's Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities magazine.

The city grabbed the No. 6 slot in its population category — 75,000 to 124,999 — in the 10th annual Digital Cities Survey rankings.

The survey measures and assesses the use of information technology by local governments.

The City of Ann Arbor was recognized for several online initiatives:

Launching an open data catalog.
Introducing online payment for water bills, which also allows residents to forgo paper bills by delivering electronic statements. There is a 27 percent customer acceptance and usage rate and approximately 800 customers (2.7 percent) have opted to receive paperless statements.
Using social networking, including Facebook, Twitter, Animoto and Foursquare.
Adding eTRAKiT, an online permitting and development records system that includes planning and development information, inspection results, the ability to look up permits online and check registration with the city or schedule inspections.

The survey is open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or higher.

Tags: City of Ann Arbor