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Savannah wins What Works Cities silver certification for data-driven governance
Summary
Savannah announced it achieved What Works Cities silver certification from Bloomberg Philanthropies, a multi-year effort led by city staff to strengthen data practices used to guide policy and services.
Savannah officials on Thursday announced the city has achieved What Works Cities silver certification from Bloomberg Philanthropies, recognizing the city for establishing data practices to inform policy, allocate funding and evaluate programs.
Mayor Van R. Johnson II said the recognition follows a multi-year, staff-led effort and celebrated the work of the city’s data team. "This was hard. It was labor intensive," the mayor said during the meeting, praising the city manager and the staff who prepared for the evaluation. "We are just celebrating this city's achievement."
The certification process began after a panel conversation in Washington, D.C., that prompted the city to pursue What Works City status. City officials said the formal assessment and subsequent certification tested the city’s foundational data practices, governance structure and use of data across areas that include housing, recreation, crime and urban forestry.
Joe Schierals, chief of information and public affairs, described the initiative as a two-year internal effort driven by a cross-departmental team. He acknowledged the certification process was "very rigorous and challenging" and thanked team members who continued daily duties while preparing documentation and policies. Schierals listed staff who contributed to the effort and said the city will continue to pursue higher certification levels.
City leaders framed the certification as part of a broader push to tie decisions to evidence rather than politics or emotion. The mayor said Savannah had made measurable progress in citywide data leadership, adoption of a data strategy and implementation of data-driven approaches to service delivery. The proclamation read at the meeting noted Savannah achieved What Works Cities silver certification for 2024.
Officials said the certification does not immediately change policies; instead, it recognizes internal changes — such as a citywide data leadership team and a formal data strategy — that make evidence-based decision-making more likely. City staff said they intend to use the tools and processes developed during the certification work to measure program performance and guide future investments.
Mayor Johnson and Schierals both said Savannah aims to continue improving and to pursue gold and platinum levels of certification in coming years. The city will continue public reporting and roll out further data-driven initiatives as staff move from establishing governance to demonstrating outcomes.
The mayor and city manager invited the public and the council to a celebratory presentation to acknowledge staff who led the process.
