Technology Excellence Award Goes to Fairfax County - Fairfax County, Virginia

airfax County recently received top honors in the annual Public Technology Institute (PTI) 2009-2010 Solutions Awards, which recognizes local governments’ excellence in technology. The county’s honors were in the Web and E-government category for its efforts in engaging residents during the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget process.

“Our innovative outreach efforts allowed us to further engage the community during the FY 2010 budget process,” said David J. Molchany, Fairfax County deputy county executive. “We will continue to reach out, exploring new technology to help us gather feedback and input on future budgets and other issues important to our residents.”

Facing the challenge of eliminating a projected revenue shortfall of $650 million for the 2010 fiscal year, which began July 1, 2009, the county turned to its residents and employees for input.

The public and employees were encouraged to participate through community dialogue sessions and employee meetings; a media campaign; an outreach program utilizing social media; and a one-stop shop on the county’s revamped website.

The county held 20 community dialogue sessions, attended by more than 700 members of the public and five employee brownbag lunch sessions. Concurrently, the county used online and telephone (integrated voice response) technology for public questions, comments and suggestions. More than 1,497 comments were recorded electronically.

The media campaign incorporated social media by posting information and videos on the county’s Facebook and YouTube sites. It also used news releases, newspaper advertisements, fliers to school and community groups, posters in county and school facilities and video segments on Fairfax County Government Channel 16.

Public input continues to evolve. Twitter, a short messaging service designed for quick information sharing, was added to the FY2011 Budget process. In preparation for the FY 2012 Budget process the county plans to incorporate social voting and additional interactive opportunities.