https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Smart Cities & Technology


Pixabay

News

Reno launches first-ever municipal blockchain app to track public transactions

Reno launches first-ever municipal blockchain app to track public transactions

  • Written by Andy Castillo
  • 16th June 2022

Much has been said in the last week about the ongoing meltdown of cryptocurrency, driven by an uncertain economic outlook and rapidly increasing inflation. Over the last seven months, Bitcoin, for example, has dropped to $21,000 from its $64,000 high. But while crypto markets might be in retreat at least for the moment, the underlying technology that’s underpinning the digital currency boom is marching steadily forward—with practical applications for local governments.

In 2017, for example, Cook County, Ill. began real-world experimentation with blockchain, the transaction tracking technological foundation of all cryptocurrencies, as a way to transfer and track property titles and other public records, based on past reporting by American City & County (AC&C). In a 2018 report from the Illinois county’s Bureau of Technology, the board explained its reasons for implementing the pilot project: “By design, blockchains are inherently resistant to data modification; once recorded, the data in a block cannot be altered retroactively. This increases security.” 

And in Austin, Texas, homeless people are able to get a digital identity that’s stored via blockchain so they don’t have to carry around a physical identification card, according to Lena Geraghty, director of innovation and sustainability at the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Center for City Solutions and author of the recent report “Cities and the Metaverse.” Geraghty previously spoke to AC&C about the report’s findings.

Most recently, Reno, Nev. launched America’s first-ever resident-run blockchain app that creates “a single ledger, documenting consecutive transactions in a designated process,” according to a statement from the city about the project. The app, called The Biggest Little Blockchain, is built on BlockApps’ blockchain platform, STRATO. The data is viewable by anyone who has the app.

“Once the technology launches later in the summer, the public and all relevant city departments will be able to access the same record through an online platform, providing clarity and transparency,” the statement says.

Like Cook County, Reno cited the robust digital security properties of blockchain as the driving factor behind its decision to test drive the technology in a real-world environment: “Blockchain technology creates and stores records that cannot be lost or changed, providing increased government accountability to the public,” the statement says.

The city’s Historic Registry will be the first department to document its records via the app. Once it’s rolled out and fully up and running, landowners and developers can request “Certificates of Appropriateness”—a required step to make alterations to buildings on the Historic Register—via the app. They can then track the status of those changes with one click.

A useful feature for government users is the app’s “smart contracts,” or “programmable logic that ensures all requirements are met and necessary information is provided in order to proceed through the defined process,” the statement says. If everything goes smoothly, other services are expected to follow suit; the blockchain app is expected to be used eventually for the tracking of regular maintenance, permitting and licensing, among other services.

Allowing open access of this data makes available a previously impossible level of transparency while keeping everything secure. Each transactional record is documented in a “block”; together, the consecutive transactions—or “blocks”—in a given process make the “chain.” Once created, the blocks cannot be altered in any way, an important feature that ensures accountability.

Notably, unlike cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology is not detrimental to the environment.

“I’m excited that the Biggest Little Blockchain showcases the usefulness of blockchain technology for all Reno residents,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve in a statement about the initiative. “Citizens deserve transparency and accountability from their government, and this new pilot project empowers every Reno resident with easy access to information, and how fitting that we are starting with the historic buildings that are the heart and soul of our community.”

Tags: homepage-featured-1 homepage-featured-2 homepage-featured-4 News Smart Cities & Technology News Smart Cities & Technology News

Most Recent


  • Amid spike, federal transportation department launches initiative to curb traffic-related deaths
    While stay-at-home orders might be a thing of the past, the pandemic’s impact is still felt daily through expectations to socially distance, the prevalence of masks in high risk areas like hospitals, and the stubbornly high annual rate of traffic-related deaths. Traffic fatalities hit a 16-year high in 2021, and preliminary data points to a […]
  • Report: Some public employees face financial hardship; comprehensive pay packages proved 'a pathway toward economic security'
    Many who work in public service, in professions that center around helping others, are themselves struggling to make ends meet and face financial hardship. Addressing these needs, the public employers they work for are well positioned to help them out, according to a report published Thursday by the MissionSquare Research Institute, “Examining the Financial Wellbeing […]
  • These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future
    From smart devices to electric vehicles, the success of technological advancements rely on municipal grids and infrastructure. Some cities are better equipped for the future than others. A new analysis from the tech company ProptechOS ranks the top 10 American cities best positioned for a “smart city future.” “But new technologies can only support us […]
  • public health
    How public health can build a “one health” infrastructure for the future
    Public health challenges—like antibiotic resistance, vector-borne disease and a global pandemic—have eluded traditional public health tools and frameworks. As a result, public health leaders focus more and more on the intersection between the environment and human health. Searching for a better framework to understand emerging threats to human health, many in public health circles have […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Report: Governments stand to benefit from 'metaverse' and its associated technologies
  • How the past informs the future: 12 predictions for 2022
  • Study provides insight into cybersecurity priorities among city and county leaders
  • What blockchain technology means for local city administrators

White papers


Modernizing government services for today’s resident expectations

24th January 2023

Preparing Your Community Now for the Next Generation of Older Adults

18th October 2022

Helping Government Fleets Achieve Their Goals

30th September 2022
view all

Webinars


How To: Evaluate Digital Government Service Delivery Technologies

23rd January 2023

Using Technology to Enhance Communications

29th November 2022

Learn the benefits of transforming and automating your Contract Management process

4th November 2022
view all

PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future

1st February 2023

Report: While remote work is causing offices to empty out, walkable cities are still in high demand

26th January 2023

10 American cities with a great downtown

24th January 2023
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Amid spike, federal transportation department launches initiative to curb traffic-related deaths dlvr.it/Shvs31

3rd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Engaging businesses to strengthen your community dlvr.it/ShvZn0

3rd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: Some public employees face financial hardship; comprehensive pay packages proved ‘a pathway toward economic… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

2nd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Strategic Budgeting for Modern Government dlvr.it/ShrHmD

2nd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future dlvr.it/Shp7sH

1st February 2023
AmerCityCounty

How public health can build a “one health” infrastructure for the future dlvr.it/ShnlKm

1st February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Four Steps to Better Municipal Fleet Fuel Purchasing dlvr.it/ShnbWP

1st February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: With increase popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, there’s a need for ‘safe and connected infrastructure’ dlvr.it/ShlKmJ

31st January 2023

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.