Modernizing Technology for the City of Lewisville

As we begin 2026, the public sector’s technology journey is entering a decisive new chapter. The lessons of the past have crystallized into a clear mandate: modernization is no longer merely an IT initiative but a continuous strategic imperative that underpins every aspect of civic mission and public trust. Building on the foundational shifts from legacy systems to agile, cloud-first platforms, the year ahead demands a more sophisticated and integrated approach. The emerging focus is on the deliberate and responsible convergence of powerful technologies—from predictive AI to real-time data ecosystems—guided by strong governance and an unwavering commitment to people and purpose.

Looking Back to Move Forward

During the panel “Modernizing Technology for the City of Lewisville” at the Government Innovation Showcase Texas 2025, we had the distinct pleasure of hosting Chris Lee, Chief Information Officer for the City of Lewisville, and Rusty Atkinson, Account Executive for the Public Sector at Zoom. Their discussion provided a vital, on-the-ground perspective on how escalating citizen expectations for digital-first services are creating a strategic imperative for local governments to modernize legacy systems—a transformation that builds a more connected, efficient, and transparent civic experience.

Looking Back to Move Forward

The 2026 Imperative: Convergence & Responsible Integration

The standout trend for the year ahead is the strategic convergence of technologies. Moving beyond isolated SaaS solutions, the next phase involves integrating predictive AI for infrastructure management, real-time data systems for smart city ecosystems, and AI-driven resident services like chatbots and digital kiosks. As Lee emphasized, success hinges on establishing clear governance and “guiding principles” to ensure these powerful tools are adopted securely, ethically, and in alignment with public trust.

Future-Proofing Through People & Purpose

Technology alone is not a strategy. The most critical investment for 2026 is in people—upskilling staff at all levels to harness new tools and fostering a culture of digital literacy. Furthermore, every tech initiative must be explicitly tied to a community-driven strategic plan. By ensuring that projects—from 5G-enabled parks to modernized public safety centers—ladder up to resident-identified “big moves,” agencies can ensure that innovation directly enhances service delivery and the public good.

The Bottom Line

The mandate for 2026 is clear: build on the modernization foundations laid in recent years and shift focus to intentional, integrated, and responsible innovation. The future of public sector tech is about adapting our organizations to harness convergence wisely, ensuring every advancement makes government more responsive, resilient, and effective for the communities it serves.

Article Note: This piece is synthesized from key themes and direct insights from the panel “Modernizing Technology for the City of Lewisville” at the Government Innovation Showcase Texas, featuring Chris Lee, Chief Information Officer, City of Lewisville Information Technology Services, and Rusty Atkinson, Account Executive, Public Sector Zoom.  It has been adapted for a forward-looking “year ahead” format.