Ithaca council advances reorganization to create Department of Information and Community Engagement

The Ithaca Common Council in committee of the whole voted Aug. 20 to send a proposed local law reorganizing the Department of Information and Technology to the regular September meeting for formal consideration. Alderperson Saint Perez moved the measure, seconded by Alderperson Matos; the committee approved sending it forward unanimously, 9-0.

Supporters say the reorganization will formalize a new Department of Information and Community Engagement (DICE) and realign communications, event permitting and website content functions while preserving the technical work of the information technology division. “This is a reorganization internal to the city of the current Department of Information and Technology into a new dice or department of information and community engagement,” a staff presenter said during the discussion.

The change responds to council direction last year to limit the addition of new positions while improving proactive public information and outreach. “Council has made it clear over the last year that they are very…