City of Burlington Innovation and Technology - Burlington, VT

Powering a Smart City

The Innovation and Technology (I&T) Department is the technological backbone of the City of Burlington. Located in City Hall, this department is responsible for more than just fixing computers; it leads the city’s strategic vision for digital infrastructure and efficiency. Under the leadership of the Chief Innovation Officer, the team manages the complex network of servers, software, and cybersecurity defenses that keep critical city services—from the police department to the airport—running 24/7. Their mission is to steward Burlington’s infrastructure to deliver efficient, effective, and equitable public services.

Key Initiatives and Services

The I&T Department focuses on both internal operations and external community benefits:

• Digital Equity: The department works to close the digital divide, ensuring that all Burlington residents have access to affordable high-speed internet and the skills to use it. This includes managing public Wi-Fi zones in city parks and buildings.
• BTV Ignite: A major focus of the department is the ’BTV Ignite’ initiative, which leverages the city’s gigabit-speed fiber optic network to foster economic growth, support tech startups, and attract digital talent to the region.
• Cybersecurity: With the increasing threat of ransomware to local governments, the I&T team implements robust security protocols to protect sensitive citizen data and city financial assets.
• ModernGov: The department leads the ’ModernGov’ initiative, a strategic push to modernize municipal government structure, digitize paper-based workflows, and improve transparency for residents.

Community Interaction

While primarily an internal support department, Innovation and Technology plays a key role in how residents interact with their local government. They manage the platforms that allow for online tax payments, digital permitting, and the ’SeeClickFix’ application used to report potholes and non-emergency issues.

Location

The department is headquartered at 149 Church Street within the historic City Hall building. While they do not typically have a public service counter for walk-ins like the Clerk’s office, they are integral to the functionality of every other department in the building. Vendors and tech partners looking to collaborate with the city generally schedule appointments with the Chief Innovation Officer or specific project managers.