CivicPlus Community Impact Award Winner: City of Tarpon Springs, Florida

Tarpon Springs is a close-knit, multigenerational community. As the City expanded its digital services, the focus was on making government easier to access while preserving the personal connection residents value. The City modernized its website so residents could find information faster, complete more tasks online, and connect with City services more easily. It also introduced Spongy, a virtual assistant that helps residents quickly find answers at any time. Spongy has responded to more than 4,300 resident questions with a 70.7 percent self-resolution rate. Tarpon Springs also transformed its public meeting process, supporting nearly 400 public meetings in its first year. Agendas are now easier to navigate online, while touchscreen kiosks in the City auditorium give residents another simple way to access meeting information when attending in person. 

“The vision was simple: one trusted digital front door for our residents, no matter their age or how comfortable they are with technology,” said City of Tarpon Springs Chief Information Security Officer Suzanne Linton. “We wanted people to find what they needed, stay informed, and feel connected to their city. Connecting with the City of Tarpon Springs should feel easy, transparent, and welcoming, every time.”