Staff Reports | Community Updates
The city of Scottsdale’s Information Technology team reported a year of technology initiatives in 2025 focused on customer service, cybersecurity and responsible use of artificial intelligence across city operations, according to a press release.
Scottsdale received recognition from national and international technology organizations during the year, citing efforts to improve public service delivery while addressing transparency, privacy and data security.
In November, Scottsdale was named the No. 1 Digital City in the United States by the Center for Digital Government for the third consecutive year.
The designation recognizes cities that use technology to enhance services, strengthen data practices and protect digital infrastructure. Judges cited Scottsdale’s artificial intelligence governance framework, citizen contact systems and enterprise data strategy.
“Technology plays a critical role in how we serve our residents every day,” City Manager Greg Caton said. “Our IT team doesn’t pursue innovation for its own sake, but rather they focus on solutions that improve access, strengthen accountability and make city services easier and more responsive for the community.”
Among the initiatives recognized in 2025 was Scottsdale’s Short-Term Rental Map Tool, a public-facing platform that uses geospatial data to support regulatory compliance, transparency and neighborhood awareness.
The tool received a CIO 100 Award, finalist recognition from Gartner’s Eye on Innovation Awards and additional national attention for integrating multiple data sources into a single system used by residents, businesses and city staff.
Scottsdale also received national recognition for its work in responsible artificial intelligence, earning the 2025 Golden GOVIT Award from the Public Technology Institute. The award cited the city’s AI Governance Council, employee training resources and structured review process.
“Our approach has always been people first,” Chief Information Officer Bianca Lochner said. “Technology should make government more transparent, more secure and easier to navigate. Every system we build is grounded in public trust, ethical use and real-world impact for residents and employees.”
Ms. Lochner received several individual honors in 2025, including the Arizona ORBIE Award for large enterprise CIO. She was also named a Global Top 50 Technology Leader by OnCon Icon and included in StateTech Magazine’s “25 Worth Following in 2025” list. In May, she represented Scottsdale internationally as a keynote speaker at South Australia’s Leading Edge: AI for Local Government Innovators summit.
City staff also received individual recognition. Mele Koneya, a GIS analyst with Scottsdale, was recognized by Esri and featured in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Architecture’s Alumni Spotlight. His work supports public safety, planning, smart city initiatives and enterprise performance management through mapping and spatial analysis.
The Information Technology department was also named a Global Top 50 Technology Team by OnCon Icon, recognizing its collective work during the year.
