The city of Chattanooga will begin providing a collection of new data sets through the ChattaData website beginning this weekend to bolster transparency in several city offices.
In recognition of National Open Data Day, Director of Performance Management and Open Data Tim Moreland announced the plan to the city council on Tuesday, in preparation for Saturday’s release.
“We think this will be a really good resource for [the city] and for citizens,” Moreland said. “It will be a big step toward added transparency.”
The data will include a myriad of data sets ranging from assessments of employees eligible for retirement or the traffic at a given intersection, to purchasing and contract information. Most notably, the website, which will be accessible to the public, will include an “open checkbook” that will serve as a register of expenditures by the city, he said.
“You’ll be able to see every check the city writes, just like a checkbook,” Moreland said, demonstrating the database, filters and search functions to council members and city staff Tuesday.
“This is fantastic,” District 6 Councilwoman Carol Berz said.
In addition to providing the data, Moreland said, the city will work to make sure employees and members of the public are trained in how to use and interpret the information.
“It doesn’t do any good to give people this tool if they don’t know what they can do with it. That’s why we’ll be working with staff and the public on outreach to make sure everyone knows what can be done with it,” Moreland added.
The first such education event is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon at the Avondale Youth and Family Development meeting. The new data also will be available this weekend.
Contact Sarah Grace Taylor at 423-757-6416 or at staylor@timesfreepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @_sarahgtaylor.