In this Tyler Tech Podcast episode, Kemarr Brown, deputy city manager for the city of Homestead, Florida, discusses how the city transformed service delivery to better support residents and businesses amid rapid growth. Recorded live at Tyler Connect 2026 in Las Vegas, the conversation highlights Homestead’s modernization journey — an effort recognized with a Tyler Excellence Award for its impact and results.

Like many local governments, Homestead faced challenges stemming from fragmented systems, manual processes, and limited visibility across departments. Permitting applications required in-person submissions or manual emails, code compliance officers spent significant time creating cases instead of working in the field, and online payments were unavailable for most services. These inefficiencies slowed service delivery and made it harder for the city to respond to rising demand.

Kemarr shares how Homestead addressed these challenges by implementing a unified, enterprise-wide digital platform, including Tyler’s Enterprise Permitting & Licensing and integrated payments solutions. By replacing disconnected systems with a single source of truth, the city created 24/7 digital access, real-time workflow visibility, and greater transparency for both staff and the community. Leaders can now track permitting timelines, identify bottlenecks, and use data — not intuition — to guide decisions and target limited resources where they matter most.

The conversation also explores the leadership and change-management side of digital transformation. Kemarr emphasizes the importance of executive alignment, clearly defining a “north star,” auditing existing processes before implementing new technology, and partnering closely with staff to design workflows that support compliance while making it easier to do business with the city.

This episode offers practical insights for city and county leaders looking to modernize service delivery, improve transparency, and scale for future growth. It reinforces how a strong digital foundation can help governments operate more efficiently while building trust with the communities they serve — advancing Tyler’s mission to help people, places, and communities thrive.

This episode also highlights the 2026 State CIO Priorities Playbook, designed to help government leaders turn strategy into action. The playbook provides practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable guidance across top priorities like AI, cybersecurity, modernization, accessibility, and digital services.

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