Well, this was some nice news to get.
MIPS has been recognized by Gov CIO Outlook as its Top County Government Software Provider for 2026. Yay! I’m super proud of that, and I hope everyone on our team takes a little time to be proud of it, too.
In the few years I’ve been at MIPS, I have gotten to see the patience it takes to help somebody work through a problem, the focused effort that goes into getting a program to do what it should, and the overall willingness to jump in when a coworker needs a hand. A lot of that work happens quietly and behind the scenes. But I’m glad our team is getting some recognition for it!
We talk quite a bit about wanting MIPS to be a place where we have fun and get stuff done. There’s a lot packed into that little saying. We want people to enjoy coming to work, caring about the folks around them, and feeling good about what they accomplish. (I think it’s the secret to our growing success!)
All in all, the main thing I appreciated about the article was its emphasis on relationships. The county folks we work with have a lot on their plates. They need someone on their side who understands the work, cares enough to help them through it, and remains available for follow-ups. We will always be a place where you can “phone a friend”.
And now comes the part that probably won’t surprise anybody who knows me. We’ve still got plenty of work to do!
A nice article doesn’t clear the to-do list.
There are still programs that could be easier to use. Steps that could be simpler. Questions we should help people answer more easily. If you work in one of the county offices we serve, I imagine you could add a few things to that list. We’ll keep listening to your feedback.
Over the past month alone, we’ve hired 3 new teammates, and we are interviewing for a 4th. We’ve moved our Customer Experience and Appraisal teams to a new MIPS building across the alley to the South. We’ve had a lot going on internally. Our teams have stepped up impressively, but hopefully you haven’t noticed a blip in coverage, support, or service.
So yes, nice article, but we aren’t claiming victory anytime soon. We need to keep improving the software, and we need to pay just as much attention to what happens around it. Does the training make sense? Can someone find the instructions when they need them? Do they understand what happens next when they call for help? Those are the kinds of things we’re structuring to get better.
As MIPS grows, we’ll always be a place where people know one another, help one another, and feel comfortable saying, “I don’t know yet, but I’ll find out.” We’ll always give our teams the time, tools, and support to keep learning too. Getting better takes focused effort. Good thing we have a culture at MIPS of continuous improvement. 😊
To our county officials and their staff, thank YOU for trusting us with your important work. Thank you for telling us when something is working and being straight with us when it isn’t. We need both. Your ideas and feedback help us decide where to put our time and effort.
And to the MIPS team, thank YOU. Enjoy this one. You’ve earned a chance to reflect on the good you’re doing.
We’ll take the pat on the back. Then we’ll get back to work.
Read the Gov CIO Outlook feature: https://www.govciooutlook.com/mips-2026
Derrick Niederklein is the Deputy Director of MIPS, where he leads innovative solutions for Nebraska counties through software development, mass appraisal services, and digital modernization. A visionary leader with a deep appreciation for both data and people, Derrick is passionate about building tools—and teams—that help local governments thrive. When he’s not digging into property records or project plans, he’s probably outside digging in the dirt at home, recharging with family and farm life. Derrick writes with heart and insight, blending big-picture thinking with boots-on-the-ground experience.