Agency: Technology Services

Line Item: Chief Information Officer

Function

By statute, the Executive Director of the Department of Technology Services serves as the State's Chief Information Officer (CIO). In addition to administering the Department, the CIO provides policy direction and strategic vision for state information technology endeavors. The CIO reports directly to the governor, as well as the Utah Technology Commission and Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee. He or she has a seven member advisory board from which to seek input.

Statutory Authority

The following statutes govern the Chief Information Officer:

• UCA 63F-1-201 creates the CIO and assigns reporting requirements
• UCA 63F-1-202 creates a Technology Advisory Board from which the CIO can seek advice
• UCA 63F-1-203 and 204 require the CIO to develop and review information technology strategic plans
• UCA 63F-1-205 empowers the CIO to acquire information technology assets for state agencies only after thorough business needs assessments
• UCA 63F-1-206 gives the CIO rulemaking authority
• UCA 63F-1-207 directs the CIO to coordinate executive branch IT plans with those of other branches of state government
• UCA 63F-1-208 and 209 give the CIO sole authority to hire information technology staff and discretion to delegate those staff and associated functions to other agencies of state government

Intent Language

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Department of Technology Services - Chief Information Officer in Item 48 of Chapter 396 Laws of Utah 2009 not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2010. The use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the following: Data Processing Current Expenses for optimization initiatives - $30,000.

Performance

DATA CENTER SERVER CONSOLIDATION - In 2010, DTS completed a Data Center and Server Consolidation, with projected annual savings to the state of $4 million. The initiative included the consolidation of data centers and servers throughout the Executive Branch agencies in the state. The project was completed in 12 months, with a 6 month planning period beforehand. The results of the project include:

• Reduced the number of data centers in the state from 35 to 2
• Reduced the total number of physical servers from 1,864 to 591
• Projected ongoing savings to the state of $4 million annually in server, support, and energy costs
• Increased security
• Increased performance

The consolidation has allowed resources to be broken into smaller, more flexibly used components and pooled for more effective utilization. Below are three instances where consolidation and virtualization has increased performance, allowing the state to become more efficient, improve business practices, and provide better service to citizens:

• 60% performance gain on a Data Warehouse batch job that is regularly run at the Department of Workforce Services
• 30% performance increase at the Department of Health when accessing data files with outside entities
• Total runtime for State Payroll decreased from 39 hours to 3.5 hours, thereby realizing a cost avoidance of $300,000 in hardware purchases

BEST OF THE WEB AWARD - Utah became the first state in the country to capture the Center for Digital Government's Best of the Web award in consecutive eligible years when it released its new website. The site introduced several new design and service features improving service to Utah citizens.

OTHER AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS - egovernment in Utah also received more than 20 awards in 2010, including being named an Official Honoree by the Webby Awards. Utah.gov's achievements have a measurable impact. In 2010, Utah.gov received over 12 million unique visits, securely processed over 11 million online transactions, and successfully launched over 50 new online services. Utah.gov receives the most visitors, per capita, of any government website in the U.S. On average, more than one million visitors come each month to Utah.gov due to a wide array of state, federal, and local government services available on the site. Last year, 943,778 renewed their vehicle registration online.

In addition, 90% of business owners choose to renew their businesses online. The decision of Utahns to conduct their business with the government online (instead of in person, through the mail, or on the phone) saves the state and Utahns millions of dollars a year directly and indirectly through more efficient use of their time.

The Center for Digital Government again recognized the State of Utah for superior performance in delivering the management of information technology and the delivery of digital government services to citizens. Utah was one of only two states to receive an 'A' grade in the "Digital States Survey," a comprehensive study that examines best practices in state government information technology, as well as progress made by the states using digital technology to serve their citizens. Although Utah has consistently ranked high in the survey, it only achieved the top ranking in 2008, and now again in 2010.

The "Digital States Survey" is the most complete survey of state government use of information technology and examines almost every aspect of how states utilize technology to improve service in each area of government. In addition to the overall grade, Utah also received the first place award in three distinct categories: Health and Human Services, Labor and Tax and Finance and Administration.

Funding Detail

Prior to FY 2006 the CIO was part of the Governor's Office.