13 counties, AAC honored with INA digital awards

County officials and employees display the Information Network of Arkansas’ Digital Transformation Award certificates they received.

Thirteen counties recognized for their digital achievements at INA’s 2018 Arkansas Digital Transformation Awards

Thirteen Arkansas counties received honors at the Information Network of Arkansas’ (INA) second annual Arkansas Digital Government Transformation Awards luncheon Sept. 19.

The awards recognized the achievements of Arkansas government offices at the local level that have used technology to drive innovation and make positive, measurable changes that affect citizens and businesses across the state and beyond.

More than 150 Arkansas local government leaders and public servants from across the state attended the event.

Cities and counties were elgible to receive five awards: Business Service Award, Citizen Service Award, Digital Pioneer Award, Efficiency Award and the Governor’s Award, which is awarded to one city or county.

The Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) Risk Management Services and Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery received the Governor’s Award for their work on Justice Bridge, a video arraignment phone system.

AAC Executive Director Chris Villines presented the award to Sheriff Montgomery, AAC Risk Management Director Debbie Norman and AAC IT Director Mark Harrell.

“The Justice Bridge has been a passion project for AAC for the past couple of years, but it was Sheriff Montgomery who approached us with the idea,” Villines said. “Over the last two years Sheriff Montgomery has worked tirelessly with the AAC staff to make this program a reality.”

Sheriff Montgomery thanked AAC and explained that Baxter County has “already saved thousands and thousands of dollars, and potentially saved lives,” with Justice Bridge.

“I personally want to thank Chris and his team for jumping on board, and they have worked around the clock to make this happen, and I am honored to be a part of it,” Montgomery said.

Governor Asa Hutchinson spoke to attendees through a video message.

“It’s easy to talk about transformation, but transformation is hard work,” he said. “This year’s nominations represent many great achievements in digital transformation. Our office reviewed 53 nominations, and we were impressed by the creativity, innovation and passion for public service that our cities and counties have demonstrated. The work these public servants are doing helps the people in their communities, and I hope that cost savings and improvements represented by these award-winning initiatives inspire leaders from around the state.”

More than 30 government offices entered more than 50 nominations, which were evaluated by the INA Board, the Secretary of State, the Department of Information Systems and State Chief Technology Officer, the state’s Chief Transformation Officer, and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

These individuals chose the winners and finalists in each category and presented them at the awards ceremony.

Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin congratulates cities and counties for their diligence in applying technology to improve their services to citizens.

Association of Arkansas Counties Executive Director Chris Villines announces award recipients.

Columbia County Deputy Treasurer Patricia Haltom and Columbia County Treasurer Selena Blair received an honorable mention for their office’s efforts in going digital.

2018 Arkansas Digital Government Transformation awards for counties

Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery & Association of Arkansas Counties Risk Management Services Governor’s Award — winner Justice Bridge

Baxter County Sheriff’s Office Governor’s Award — winner Baxter County Sheriff’s website and free mobile app

Baxter County Collector Citizen Service Award — honorable mention Baxter County Tax Collector App

Benton County Circuit Clerk Business Service Award — finalist Use of technology to improve existing services and launch new ones

Benton County Digital Pioneer Award — finalist New modernized Benton County website Boone County Collector Digital Pioneer Award — honorable mention Multiple technology enhancements to improve communication with citizens Citizen Service Award — honorable mention SMS text messaging

Columbia County Treasurer Efficiency Award — honorable mention Going digital Craighead County Clerk Digital Pioneer Award — finalist Transparenccy improvements via craigheadclerk.com Faulkner County Circuit Clerk Efficiency Award — finalist Electronic transcripts replacing physical documents

Business Service Award — winner E-recording of land records

Faulkner County Clerk Citizen Service Award — finalist Using technology to make citizens’ lives better

Greene County Judge Citizen Service Award — honorable mention Consolidation of 911 call center

Hempstead County Assessor Citizen Service Award — honorable mention Offering online personal property assessment Madison County Assessor Efficiency Award — honorable mention ESRI mapping tool Miller County Collector Citizen Service Award — honorable mention

Pulaski County Treasurer Digital Pioneer Award — winner Live chat

Saline County Circuit Clerk Business Service Award — finalist Electronic recording of land records Citizen Service Award — finalist Honor reward program for local veterans Citizen Service Award — honorable mention Enhanced passport photo service Citizen Service Award — winner Free fraud protection program Saline County Collector Efficiency Award — winner eNotify Saline County Clerk Citizen Award — honorable mention The Checkmark eNewsletter

Washington County Assessor Digital Pioneer Award — honorable mention Improving public access to county septic system records Citizen Service Award — honorable mention Use of digital information board to communicate important information Efficiency Award — finalist CAMA scanners

Awards

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Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, AAC Executive Director Chris Villines, AAC Risk Management Director Debbie Norman and AAC IT Manager Mark Harrell display the Governor’s Award they received for their work on Justice Bridge video arraignment system. Information Network of Arkansas (INA) President and General Manager Bob Sanders (left) chats with Arkansas Secretary of State Mark Martin and AAC Executive Director Chris Villines.

Faulkner County Deputy Circuit Clerk Diana Varner, Faulkner County Circuit Clerk Crystal Taylor and Deputy Circuit Clerk Bekah Donohue smile for a photo. Their office won a Business Service Award and were finalists for two other awards. Award winners from Saline County pose for a photo with their certificates.

Above left: Pulaski County Assistant Chief Deputy Treasurer/Collector Angie Martin, Pulaski County Treasurer/Collector Debra Buckner, IT Director Shannon Chronister and Chief Deputy Treasurer/Collector Bentley Hovis display an award they recieved. Above middle: AAC Executive Director Chris Villines smiles for a photo with Franklin County Judge Rickey Bowman. Above right: Pulaski County Treasurer/Collector Debra Buckner chats with Greene County Judge Rusty McMillon. Greene County received a Citizen Service Award honorable mention for the consolidation of county’s 911 call centers.

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