The heart of SMIO's work is achieved by collaborating with staff, residents, Tempe businesses, and, alongside local and national partners, to bring new ideas and improved strategies to the City government. 

Community Safety Strategic Plan

The City of Tempe is turning community recommendations into action with open strategies and transparent progress on an array of public safety reform measures in a comprehensive Community Safety Strategic Plan. Inspired by recommendations from the Public Safety Advisory Task Force led by Mayor Corey Woods, Tempe’s Community Safety Strategic Plan builds on six thematic pillars linking strategic directions, strategies, actions and data to increase trust between the Police Department and the community. The plan focuses on policies, hiring, use of technologies, training, and how the city engages with people who are black, Indigenous and people of color, and those with mental health challenges.

Strategic Partners: Grand Canyon Institute, ASU College of Law, Northern Arizona University

Homelessness

Strategic Grants Management

SMIO is responsible for developing and administering the city’s strategic grant management program to ensure standardized and effective management throughout the grant lifecycle, aligned with industry best practices. SMIO staff develop citywide policy and procedures, provide training to Departments on effectives grant management practices, manage the Tribal Gaming Revenue Sharing process, and oversee the implementation of the eCivis grant management software program.

Strategic Partners: Financial Services, Information Technology, Internal Audit

Tempe Wastewater BioIntel Program

Changing the trajectory of public health at a local level with science, equity and trust

To advance public health and to serve as a national model, the City of Tempe utilizes sewage data derived from wastewater-based epidemiology to inform city decisions, strategic policy and operational decisions. Tempe contributes data to the National Wastewater Surveillance System, and in November 2021, Tempe was selected by NACCHO to serve as a mentor site to two NY counties.

In an innovative partnership to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City of Tempe is working with scientists from Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute to study the city's wastewater. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is the science of studying community sewage for public health information. Tempe utilizes wastewater biomarkers to combat opioid overdoses and deaths as well as give early insights into rising COVID-19 case rates while continuing to expand the analysis of other health biomarkers.

Wastewater epidemiology has proven to be an emerging and innovative asset in promoting healthy communities at the local level.

Strategic Partners: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Arizona Department of Health Services, National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO), ASU Biodesign Institute, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department, Town of Guadalupe

What Works Cities Certification

What Works Cities Certification recognizes and celebrates local governments for their exceptional use of data to inform policy and funding decisions, improve services, create operational efficiencies, and engage residents. The Certification Program assesses cities on their data-driven decision-making practices, such as whether they are using data to set goals and track progress, allocate funding, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and achieve desired outcomes. These data-informed strategies enable Certified Cities to be more resilient, respond to crises, increase economic mobility, protect public health, and increase resident satisfaction.

Strategic Partners: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Information Technology, Behavioral Insights Team (BIT), Government Performance Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School, Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) at Johns Hopkins University, Results for America (RFA)