A- for Website Transparency (2012)
Virginia Beach's official government website, VBgov.com, earned an A- for transparency by Sunshine Review, a nonprofit group dedicated to state and local government transparency. Thirty-nine city government websites in Virginia were rated based on 10 areas of public information that should be readily available: budgets; public meetings; elected officials; administrative officials; permits/zoning; audits; contracts; lobbying; public records; and taxes. Of the 39 Virginia cities graded, only two others - Richmond and Williamsburg - received an A-, which was the highest grade given by Sunshine Review. The group found that VBgov.com contained all of the recommended information, with the exception of money spent on lobbying.
Best of the Web (2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001)
Sponsored by the Center for Digital Government, Best of Web is an annual awards program that recognizes the most innovative, user-friendly state and local government portals. This national awards program judges state, city and county websites on their innovation, web-delivery of public services, efficiency, economy, and functionality for improved citizen access. The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. The Center is a division of e.Republic, Inc., a national publishing, event and research company focused on information technology in the public sector.
Digital Cities Survey (2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002)
This annual survey by the Center for Digital Government examines how cities use technology to create a seamless environment between local governments and constituents. Survey questions focus on the implementation and adoption of online service delivery; planning and governance; and the infrastructure and architecture that make the transformation to digital government possible. The survey is open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or more.
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. The Center is a division of e.Republic, Inc., a national publishing, event and research company focused on information technology in the public sector.
Gartner IT Security Innovation Award
The Department of Communications and Information Technology (ComIT) won the 2007 Gartner IT Security Innovation Award (public sector) for their Secure Messaging Application (SMA). Gartner, Inc. is a global information technology research and advisory company.
The SMA enables secure message transfer between city personnel and the general public in order to comply with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This unique approach to secure messaging was conceived by ComIT’s Information Technology Administrator Mick Vollmer and developed by the ComIT Applications Support division. The application was originally developed for the Department of Human Services, which has daily interactions with citizens, healthcare providers, social workers, and law enforcement personnel in which they must share individually Protected Health Information (PHI).
The Gartner IT Security Innovation Award recognizes world-class security initiatives across industries that advance beyond common practice and demonstrate improvements in security programs or a decrease in the cost of maintaining an existing level of security.
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Government Programming Awards. (2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000)
The NATOA Awards recognize excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies.
National Policy Research Council (NRPC)
In a study conducted by the National Policy Research Council (NPRC), a Washington-based think tank, in collaboration with Computerworld, VBgov.com was ranked among the top city websites in the “Population over 250,000” category. The study examined 11,227 official government websites and judged them on 25 features in seven categories: usability, citizen responsiveness, accessibility for disabled visitors, information tools, online procurement, job opportunities, and interactive permits and payments. Results were published in the November 27, 2006 issue of Computerworld.
The highest grades generally went to websites where a wide range of services were easily found on the home page instead of being buried several pages deep, said Robert McArthur, the NPRC’s e-government project director. Other city websites ranked in the same category with Virginia Beach include Fresno, California; Tampa, Florida; New Orleans, LA; Washington, D.C.; Houston, TX; and Seattle, WA.
National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Electronic Media Awards Program (2010, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000)
The NSPRA recognizes outstanding education publications and electronic media programs - radio/TV/cable, Internet websites, slide productions and videotape. the contest is open to all public and private schools or districts, including special schools such as vocational-technical institutes; regional or county education service agencies; education agencies; and private businesses serving as partners with those organizations.
Public Technology Institute's Technology Solutions Award (2008, 2007, 2006)
This competition recognizes PTI member local governments that can demonstrate how they apply technology to improve service delivery, reduce operating costs or create new revenue opportunities. In 2008, ComIT's Secure Messaging Application (SMA) was one of four winners in the Telecommunications and Information Technology category. The SMA enables secure message transfer between city personnel and the general public in order to comply with requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This unique approach to secure messaging was conceived by ComIT’s Information Technology Administrator Mick Vollmer and developed by the ComIT Applications Support division. The application was originally developed for the Department of Human Services, which has daily interactions with citizens, healthcare providers, social workers, and law enforcement personnel in which they must share individually Protected Health Information (PHI).
Two ComIT initiatives were recognized by PTI in the Public Safety and Emergency Management, Medium Government category. The Suite of 9-1-1 Database Services received a Significant Achievement recognition. The National ALI component enhances 9-1-1 response service by eliminating nearly all address data errors experienced under the previous provider and improves tracking and reporting functions of 9-1-1 data. The VBalert component enables the city to disseminate public safety and remegency-related warnings, alerts and notifications to the public, city employees, volunteers and related groups via a pre-recorded message. The system is successfully utilized by the Virginia Beach public safety agencies to notify citizens of rabid animals, missing persons, potential flooding, and more. The third component is PS/ALI. With PS/ALI and 9-1-1 call originating from a city-owned telephone line displays the caller's exact location on the 9-1-1 information screen.
The Electronic Police Reports Online (ePRO) application received an Honorable Mention. Electronic Police Reports Online is a web-based application that allows citizens to obtain copies of criminal offense incident reports and traffic accident reports; generate statistics on crime and accidents, and report lower priority offenses online 24/7. The ePRO application eliminates the need for citizens to visit Police Headquarters in order to obtain offense and traffic accident reports and has improved Police staff productivity.
Telly Award (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2001, 2000)
Since 1978, the Telly Awards mission has been to strengthen the visual arts community by inspiring, promoting, and supporting creativity. Each year the Awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions.
US Municipalities E-Governance Report (2008)
VBgov.com, Virginia Beach’s official government Web portal, ranked 16th overall (out of 100) in the 2008 U.S. Municipalities E-Governance Survey. Co-sponsored by the American Society for Public Administration and the Public Technology Institute, the survey assessed the practice of digital governance in large municipalities across the United States by evaluating their websites and ranking them on a national scale. The research focused on the largest and the second largest cities in each of the 50 states based on their population size. Evaluation of the municipal websites consisted of five categories: Privacy/Security, Usability, Content, Services, and Citizen Participation.
In addition to its overall ranking of 16, VBgov.com ranked among the top 10 municipalities in the individual categories of Content and Citizen Participation. The Content category evaluated the online availability of contact information, public documents and disability access (for the vision and hearing impaired), as well as access to multimedia and time sensitive information. The measures for the Citizen Participation category examined how local governments are engaging citizens and providing mechanisms for citizens to participate in government online.
Click here to view the complete 2008 U.S. Municipalities E-Governance Report, which includes methodology and detailed information for each of the five categories.
Videographer Award (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000)
The Videographer Awards is an international awards program directed by communication professionals to honor talented individuals and companies in the video production field. Entrants include video production companies, advertising and public relations firms, corporate communication departments, cable and broadcast television operations, government agencies and schools, and independent producers. Entries are judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).
3CMA Savvy Award (2006, 2004, 2002, 2000)
The Savvy Awards competition is sponsored by the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) and is held in cooperation with the National League of Cities. The Savvy Awards program incorporates the prestigious City Hall Public Information Awards Competition, sponsored for 17 years by City Hall Communications. The awards recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public sector marketing and citizen-government relationships. The Savvies salute skilled and effective city, county and agency professionals who have creatively planned and carried out successful innovations.