OC Ranks Fourth in Nation For Online Services 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2003   Contact: Diane Thomas 714.834.6203

OC Ranks Fourth in Nation For Online Services

(Santa Ana) - The County of Orange ranks fourth in the nation and first in California for using information technology to deliver high-quality, easy-to-use services online, according to the 2003 Digital Counties Survey. The study was conducted jointly by the Center for Digital Government, National Association of Counties (NACO) and Government Technology magazine. Orange County tied with San Diego. The award recognizes county websites that provide interactive services and online transactions. OC’s web site allows residents to register to vote, pay property taxes, register as a County vender and submit bids, and “call in” for jury duty, to name a few. Supervisor Chuck Smith will accept the award Sunday on behalf of the County at NACO’s annual conference in Milwaukee. OC will also be featured in a “Best of Breed” report to be published by the Center for Digital Government. The report will profile some of the most innovative programs identified by the survey. Launched in March, the Digital Counties survey grouped counties into four categories based on population: 500,000 or more; 250,000– 499,999; 150,000-249,999; and less than 150,000. All counties in the United States were invited to participate. “ This is a tremendous accomplishment by all County department heads and the Board of Supervisors,” said Daniel Hatton, Ph.D., Assistant CEO for Information Technology. “It illustrates the smart use of technology to make it easier for residents to do business with County government.” ###