Madison received the first-place ranking for a mid-size city in the 2005 Digital Cities Survey, an award highlighting technological growth.

The Center for Digital Government, which conducts the survey, has seen Madison climb from 10th place in 2003, to fourth in 2004 and finally to first this year.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz expressed his pride in a press release following news of the award.

"This national recognition reflects the innovative efforts Madison is constantly making to provide better service through technology," Cieslewicz said in a release.

He noted in the past year, the city has worked to improve technological attributes. Madison added a website allowing residents to report issues including potholes and graffiti through the internet. The city's "web portal" also allows citizens to make a variety of online payments for debts such as property taxes, parking tickets and water bills. And online city hall applications now connect "citizens with vital information about city government meetings, proposed legislation and other information," Cieslewicz said.

George Twigg, communications director for the mayor, acknowledged Madison's growth as a technologically advanced city, pointing to efforts to bring wireless Internet to the entire downtown area.

"Things like wireless Internet and the features on the city's website are the way of the future," he said. "Madison is ahead of the curve on a number of these things. We think other cities across the nation will look to us for a guide on how to catch up with technology."

Twigg said University of Wisconsin students also contribute to the growth of the city's digital technologies. Providing wireless Internet throughout the city will add convenience for students as well as aid residents.

Cieslewicz, at a "Cookies and Milk" event sponsored by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Community Service Committee earlier this month, said Madison would not be the city it is without its UW student population.

"Students are a huge part of the city. Just look at the population. There are about 40,000 students in a city with a population of about 202,000," he said. "What you get when such a large portion of the population is students, is a demand for the cutting edge in both politics, to a certain degree, and in technology. I think I've made strides during my time in office to focus on that demand as much as I could."

At the event, Cieslewicz said awards like the survey's ranking serve to reassure him that he is doing a good job.

"I know we get a lot of awards," he said. "I don't know what all of them are for or what the criteria are. I'm sure there is some kind of a scientific way these people figure it out. All I know is I like the trophy or the award. It tells me Madison is a success."

The Digital Cities Survey is an annual review of how city governments are utilizing information technology to operate and deliver quality service to their customers and citizens.