Open Data
Definition
Government data made freely available to the public in machine-readable formats that anyone can access, use, and share without restrictions. Open data includes budgets, crime statistics, restaurant inspections, property records, performance metrics, and more. Open data promotes transparency, enables accountability, supports research, empowers civic tech applications, and can drive economic development through data-driven businesses.
Louisville Context
Louisville Metro maintains an open data portal (data.louisvilleky.gov) with datasets including crime, property records, 311 service requests, and restaurant inspections. However, many datasets are outdated, incomplete, or difficult to use. Louisville’s open data program lacks dedicated staffing and policy requiring timely data publication. Peer cities like Chicago and New York have more comprehensive, user-friendly open data programs.
Why It Matters
Open data enables citizen oversight of government, supports journalism and research, empowers community organizations to identify needs, and allows developers to create useful applications. When government hoards data or releases it in unusable formats, it limits accountability and wastes the value data could provide to communities.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will strengthen Louisville’s open data program by establishing an Open Data Policy requiring all departments to publish key datasets quarterly, hiring a Chief Data Officer to coordinate data publication (within $1.025 billion budget), improving data portal usability, and hosting regular community events where residents can learn to use government data.