City launches 'Columbus in Focus' updates to improve transparency and service access

City staff on Feb. 2 introduced "Columbus in Focus," a new presentation series designed to share department progress and make municipal operations more accessible to residents and elected officials.

Matt Lindbergh, the city’s public communications manager, said the series will rotate through leadership teams each meeting and highlighted priorities: workforce improvements (onboarding/offboarding and internal productivity tools), more efficient delivery of services including implementation of Microsoft 365 and AI-enabled phone navigation, enhanced public-facing communications and improved Spanish-language and accessibility work. "We've developed Columbus in Focus. In each meeting, different city leadership groups will present... giving updates on the progress and initiatives within their departments," Lindbergh said.

Lindbergh named members of the general administration leadership team who will appear in future sessions, including Betsy Eckhart (director of general services), Tammy Orender (human resources director), Matt Soukup (computer network technician), Shireya Schoat (city clerk) and Jean Van Eyckburn (planning and economic development coordinator). He said the goal is to translate strategic-plan goals into regular, actionable priorities and to increase collaboration across departments and with the downtown Business Improvement District to improve public engagement.

What’s next: department leaders will appear in future meetings to present specific initiatives and results as part of the series.