ROCKWALL, TX (July 31, 2024) – The City of Rockwall is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Award. This award is for the City’s Restaurant Inspection Scores Dashboard, which uses which uses geospatial technology to help share restaurant inspection scores.
The ESIG awards, first presented in 1981, honor exceptional applications of geospatial technologies and data that result in improved government services. The international competition is open to public agencies at all levels, including local, regional, state/provincial, and federal.
Rockwall’s winning entry, the Restaurant Inspection Scores Dashboard, exemplifies innovation and efficiency. The software automates the sharing of restaurant inspection scores with businesses, the public, and city departments. By reducing manual and duplicative work, the dashboard has significantly improved the efficiency, effectiveness, and timeliness of data sharing. The GIS Division’s expertise has resulted in a sustainable and user-friendly map and dashboard that includes access to historic inspection reports.
The ESIG Awards Review Committee, comprising 14 members, praised Rockwall’s application for its comprehensive approach to improving efficiency, public accessibility, staff workload, system integration, data management, and transparency.
The judges highlighted several key benefits of the new system:
• Enhanced efficiency and timeliness in data sharing and public accessibility.
• Significant reduction in manual data entry and redundant work, resulting in time and cost savings.
• Increased transparency and public trust through an easy-to-use interface providing clear, current, and accurate information on restaurant scores.
• Positive impacts on internal city departments and the public’s ability to access up-to-date information.
One judge commented, “This application did a fantastic job of comparing the ‘old way’ versus the ‘new way’ for improving efficiency/timeliness, public accessibility, staff workload and focus, system integration and data management, and transparency for public trust.” Another judge expressed, “I want the City I live in to do this too!”
The City of Rockwall extends its gratitude to the URISA committee members for their time and effort in reviewing this year’s submissions. This recognition highlights Rockwall’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to serve its residents better and enhance the quality of life in the community.
For more information about the Restaurant Inspection Scores Dashboard or other initiatives, please contact The Neighborhood Improvement Services Department at (972) 771-7700.
Submitted press release by Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce.