Scottsdale has announced that it has been awarded the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification at the gold level for exceptional use of data to inform policy decisions, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate program effectiveness, and engage residents.

What Works Cities Certification sets the standard of excellence for data-informed, well-managed local government, according to a press release.

“Our community deserves the best from its city government, and this higher level of certification from the What Works Cities program confirms that we are delivering that in Scottsdale,” said Mayor David D. Ortega in a prepared statement. “This award recognizes our commitment to maximize valuable data to benefit everyone.”

Scottsdale leveled up from being named on the Honor Roll in 2018, to Silver certification in 2019 and recertification in 2020 and is among an elite group of 62 cities worldwide to have achieved certification.

Among recent accomplishments, the What Works Cities team spotlighted Scottsdale’s data-driven approach to tackling tough issues with short-term/vacation rental properties.

The city’s short-term rental resource center allows residents to view the license status and understand the impact of short-term rentals in their neighborhoods. The map tool draws on the city’s data service standard, of which Scottsdale is among one of the first cities in the United States to publish, that guides the city in developing reliable and informative data services and products for its residents and businesses.

Other notable examples include the role of analysis and data in managing Scottsdale’s water resources and managing water policies such as the recently re-launched residential water rebate program, in evaluating and implementing compensation programs to ensure the city remains a competitive employer in critical public safety positions and other areas, and in expanding ways to engage residents through technology such as the new Speak Up Scottsdale platform.