The Denver City Council is ready to vote on a proposal that would mean a $1.9 million upgrade contract with OpenCities, a Microsoft-owned software maker.

Stephen Elkins, who's credited with improving Austin's IT resiliency and a transition to cloud-based services, told StateScoop he'll step down next week after a decade with the city.

Roadway sensor data will fuel software pilots in Austin, Texas; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Walnut Creek, California; and Westminster, Colorado, after the cities won a competition earlier this week.

Erp, a cybersecurity consultant and former Texas Health and Human Services Commission CISO, will join the city as its top IT security official on June 1.

With help from the software company NTT Data, the City of Austin is the latest to develop a tool to help residents screen for COVID-19, while also providing data to help government contain the illness.

State and local government officials say that staying organized and leading with open arms are proven means of building mature data programs.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler says technology played a huge role in helping to find the perpetrator while social media services like Twitter helped keep residents notified of potential threats.

If successful, the city says it plans for a wider deployment that could improve access to its services.

Competition organizers are looking for ideas that will improve the quality of life for citizens.