This book is a result of a special collaboration among many members of the government community in New York State sponsored by the Governor’s Task Force on Information Resource Management. It reflects the best thinking of scores of public managers about principles and practices for conducting state-local information systems projects in an environment of devolution and boundary-spanning policy and program initiatives.

The core of this book was drawn from the experiences of eleven state-local information systems projects underway in New York State during the first half of 1997. These projects were represented in the study by 150 individuals from 67 state, county, and municipal agencies as well as a number of non- profit organizations and professional associations. The Center for Technology in Government (CTG) gathered information from these project teams through group brainstorming sessions, a formal survey, and a series of focus group interviews. This book is a compilation of many insights, experiences, and recommendations regarding effective intergovernmental information systems projects. The specific projects are:

• Aging Network Client Based Service Management Project (CBS)
• Electronic Filing of Local Government Annual Financial Reports
• Electronic Death Certificates
• Electronic Transfer of Dog Licenses
• Hunting and Fishing Licenses
• Immunization Reporting and Tracking System
• Probation Automation Project
• Real Property System Version 4 Project
• SALESNET
• Local Social Services
• District Imaging Project
• Electronic Voter Registration

This book also benefited greatly from review by a wide variety of readers. Two sub-units of the Governor’s Task Force on Information Resource Management, the Standing Subcommittee on Local Government and the Special Work Group on Intergovernmental Information Systems, provided guidance on the overall study and on the structure and focus of this document. In addition, the members of the Special Work Group participated in the identification of a set of ideal characteristics for intergovernmental information systems which provided the guiding framework for effort. We are grateful to all, and particularly recognize the leadership of the

Special Work Group co-chairs, Thomas Griffen, Executive Director of the NYS Office of Real Property Services and Stanley France, Director of Data Processing, Schoharie County.

Our search for best practices also led us outside New York State to experts in many other parts of the country. Many organizations shared their experiences in intergovernmental systems endeavors. We wish to thank:

• Preston N. Barton, Interagency Coordinator/Planner, State of Kansas
• Kendra Briechle, International City/County Management Association
• Dell Kinlaw and Pete Bailey, State Office of Information Resources, South Carolina
• Jim Krautkremer, Intergovernmental Information Systems Advisory Council, State of Minnesota
• Paul Nelson, Department of Administration, State of Wisconsin
• Robert Olson, Coordinator, Sharing Environmental Education Knowledge, State of Minnesota
• Dr. Costis Toregas, Public Technology Inc.
• Margaret Theibert, Office of Information Technology, Ohio
• Department of Administrative Services

Special thanks goes to Robert Greeves of the Council for Excellence in Government for sharing his work and reviewing ours.