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• <br /> September 29, 2021 <br /> One of our teams that's especially good at identifying opportunities for efficiency <br /> and improvement is our IT team. This department continues to keep us ahead of <br /> the curve and ensure City departments are well-supported with the latest tools <br /> and systems with an increased focus on cybersecurity. This year we witnessed <br /> significant disruptions in critical infrastructure and data breaches nationwide. The <br /> increase in ransomware attacks is being felt by more and more organizations. So <br /> my proposed budget includes the deployment of new tools that will help manage <br /> cybersecurity risk. <br /> Another part of being responsive and responsible is ensuring equity and access to <br /> City services. In recent years I have focused on diversity, equity and inclusion with <br /> the aim to diversify our workforce, connect with new community members, make <br /> our government more accessible and address racism. In 2022 we'll continue <br /> working toward those goals and strengthening relationships with our Black, <br /> Indigenous and other communities of color as well as our LGBTQ community. My <br /> budget allocates funds for additional training opportunities for our staff, City <br /> leadership and members of some of our boards and commissions on topics to help <br /> us identify and eliminate barriers to equity in the work we do for our city. • <br /> I'd like to touch on fiscal responsibility. <br /> Last year we introduced a new consumer-driven health plan, and we're already <br /> seeing impressive results. It's great when our employees rave about going to the <br /> doctor! And that's because we have something really special at Vera Whole <br /> Health.The team there works hard to keep staff and our families healthy, and also <br /> saves the city money. Our projections for next year's general government health <br /> benefits costs all total came in nearly a million dollars less than the original <br /> forecast, due in large part to the success of the new health plans. We're lowering <br /> the growth rate in the cost of health benefits, while at the same time providing <br /> access to quality health care for our employees. I'm pleased with the success of <br /> this program and the positive health outcomes it's creating for our staff. <br /> Another successful strategy in fiscal responsibility has been creating partnerships <br /> to help deliver important community services. Last year we did a call for proposals, <br /> seeking innovative partnerships to use park properties and facilities for the <br /> community's benefit. The goal was to increase or improve recreation <br /> 12 <br />