Phoenix, New York and Las Vegas are among the cities considering creating digital models of their cities, according to a vendor that sells that technology.

Getting people comfortable with new controls is one of the greatest hurdles to improving security, local cybersecurity leaders said during an online event.

Steen Hambric told StateScoop he plans to improve the relationships between his office and other city agencies.

Phoenix appointed its acting CIO, Steen Hambric, to a permanent capacity and announced that former chief service officer Michael Hammett will become the city's first chief innovation officer.

"Almost real-time" insights to budgeting data during the COVID-19 pandemic helped the city avoid cutting services or instating furloughs, officials said.

Matthew Arvay, who joined the city in 2017, is credited with leading broadband modernization projects and furthering the city's "smart city" agenda.

New software from Granicus helps state and local agencies measure the efficacy of digital campaigns that encourage residents to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

More people want to participate in city council meetings during the pandemic and some cities are making the needed upgrades to support the demand.

The city's waste-diversion goals for 2020 have been interrupted by the pandemic, but officials are hopeful new online resources will help the city continue its education and policy efforts.