Finance

State and local agencies have until Dec. 31 to commit federal funds they received through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund as part of the response to the pandemic. Anything not obligated must be returned.

Plus, the Federal Communications Commission is pushing for greater network security measures after a cyber attack, additional funding has been awarded through the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and more.

A so-called “man-in-the-middle” cyber attack last month compromised the city’s transfer of nearly half a million dollars to pay for excavation during a water infrastructure replacement project. The FBI is among agencies investigating.

White Lake Township was “a victim of a sophisticated cybersecurity attack,” its police chief said. The incident has compromised a portion of $29 million in infrastructure bond funds. Federal authorities and local police are investigating.

Plus, Kansas will soon open funding applications to expand connectivity, a Colorado county is receiving federal funding for broadband, the economic benefits of improving Internet access in Harlan County, Ky., and more.

Plus, more states have been awarded federal funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and the city of Boulder, Colo., has announced a new partnership to expand community broadband.

The city manager began the budgeting process anew with new software that provides a more granular, transparent view of finances, and a “true cost allocation” of revenue and expenses. The result was a proposed 2025 budget with no deficit or sharp service cuts.

The young company, which wants to make procurement easier for local governments, has its eyes set on geographic expansion and product development. The funding arrives as procurement offices face staffing challenges.

Plus, additional states have been awarded federal funding from the Digital Equity Act; St. Louis, Mo., is installing free Wi-Fi in parks; Yolo County, Calif., preserves free digital literacy classes in Spanish; and more.

The company’s platform is designed to give vendors early insights into RFPs and other public business via analysis of government meetings. The company’s CEO says Cloverleaf has big plans for 2025.

The mistakes in the courts’ distribution system resulted in more than $26 million in fees going to the wrong sources over a five-year period, the Iowa Judicial Branch has said. The branch is examining its case management system.

Plus, a federal digital equity program received hundreds of applications, a tracker illustrates the rising trend of digital service teams, new research quantifies the positive effects of fiber broadband on rural communities and more.

Gov tech supplier Civic Marketplace is offering a procurement platform backed by AI for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The deal could promote more use of cooperative purchasing, according to backers.

Three existing government technology firms, including Black Mountain Software, comprise the new company, which said it has 2,000 clients out of the gate. The deal includes backing from Black Mountain owner Peterson Partners, an investment firm.

Chief Information Officer Mark Raymond is on a mission to convince decision-makers that technology doesn’t just cost money — it provides value. “It’s how we improve in government at all.”

A look at Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s innovative approach to tackling homelessness, budget challenges and systemic inequality. Crowley is among those recognized by Governing’s returning Public Officials of the Year award series.

Major IT modernizations are underway, but strict budgets and rising software prices can mean a greater role for the CIO in vendor negotiations. At the NASCIO 2024 Annual Conference, Montana CIO Kevin Gilbertson discussed working with companies of varying sizes.

At NASCIO, Illinois CIO Sanjay Gupta says he has won direct appropriations for tech from state officials. He wants to move away from the chargeback model eventually, which he says will result in better services.