City prepares for transparency appraisal

Next week the city will receive an assessment of its efforts to increase transparency around issues such as homelessness, a tool to increase equity, public meetings, the Open and Smart Advisory Committee and an online project tracking tool. The city’s participation in the Open Government Partnership that includes more than 70 nations and more than 20 local governments spurred the push to improve accountability and transparency. The OGP conducted the independent assessment. There will be two public forums on May 8 to discuss the findings: 2:30 p.m. at Austin History Center and 6 p.m. at the city’s Office of Innovation. The events will also include an outline of the work of the Office of Innovation and a discussion with Open Austin about its work in the OGP process, and will serve as a kickoff for the next round of projects that will seek to increase transparency in other city departments and functions.