The Information Technology team supports those that support you – the Public! We develop and maintain the City’s technology infrastructure (voice and data networks, data systems, and communications systems) so that your government serves you in the fastest, most reliable and cost-efficient way.
Overview
Through the use of technology, the City strives to accommodate your needs by producing what you want, when you need it. Fortunately, technology continues to evolve day after day, and the City’s team of dedicated experts study technology trends and look for ways to streamline old processes and develop new services. Our goal is to provide for Abilene citizens the most effective and useful services in the world.
Information Technology engages in six major activities:
City Departments rely on Applications Services for software programming needs and support of Police, Fire, Emergency Operations, Municipal Court, Health, Payroll and Personnel record keeping, Financial (Revenue, Receivables, Liabilities and Budgeting), Maintenance Record Keeping (State, Federal & Liability) for vehicles, buildings, equipment and budgeting, Building Inspection Services (Code), and Billing (Water, Sewer, and Storm Water).
Communications Services provides radio communications as well as mobile data support to City emergency responders, the Abilene Police and Fire Departments. Communications Services also provides two-way radio service to all City divisions needing radio communications. The City of Abilene's two-way radio systems as they exist today have evolved through sixty-eight years of development and growth. Many changes have occurred over the past half-century. Communications Services now supports approximately 1150 mobile and portable radios, not to mention the large number of peripherals such as microwave systems and remote control units. The City utilizes six radio systems as well as a mobile data system. In 1990 mobile data brought a new horizon to police communications. Officers are now provided a wealth of information concerning a situation prior to becoming involved.
GIS provides state-of-the-art geospatial analysis within the City of Abilene and Taylor County. GIS is a digital mapping service that connects geographic features (i.e. parcels, buildings, fire hydrants, etc.) to custom-built databases (i.e. appraisal district, permits, fire department databases, etc.). The mapping is deployed via the Internet, customized applications or out-of-the-box solutions.
Network Operations forms the core of computing and data networking design, implementation, and support for the City. The staff deploys and maintains City computers, servers, and network hardware and software, and provides connectivity to data resources, directly supporting the various missions of other City departments. A centralized Help Desk provides remote assistance to all City employees.
Telecommunications manages the telephone communications system and infrastructure (fiber optic, wired, & wireless systems) within the City. Analog, digital, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), and cellular technologies are employed to provide quality communication to the public and among the many departments and divisions within the City.
Abilene/Taylor County 9-1-1 District Administration is a service provided through contract with the Abilene/Taylor County 9-1-1 District. The overall daily administration of the District includes, but is not limited to, assignment and maintenance of addresses, mapping support for the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and emergency responders, coordination of all 9-1-1 related activities throughout the District service area. The District serves the City of Abilene, including the part of Abilene in Jones County, unincorporated Taylor County, and all incorporated municipalities within Taylor County.