07/21/2015 - Open Budget Portal City of Tigard
F . Press Release
EML
13125 SW Hall Boulevard Tigard,Oregon 97223 www.tigard-or.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE I July 21, 2015
Contact:
Toby LaFrance
Finance and Information Services Director
City of Tigard
503-718-2406
toby@tigard-or.gov
Open Budget Portal Makes City Finances More Accessible
In an effort to make the city's finances even more open and accessible to the public, the City of Tigard has
launched a new web tool called the Open Budget Portal. The portal can be viewed at
http://budget.tigard-or.gov.
The tool allows data from the city's 400-plus-page budget document to be shared as visual information that
residents and businesses can scan quickly, showing how the city spends public resources,provides essential
services and plans for future needs.
"Nationally, cities and local governments have adopted online software that helps their residents
understand how their cities work," said Toby LaFance, Finance and Information Services director. "Tigard
residents will now be able to see in a few clicks an overview of how departments and activities are funded.
This is available in addition to the more comprehensive traditional budget documents on the city's web
page."
Tigard's Fiscal Year 2015-`16 Budget went into effect on July 1. The budget published online has received
the Government Finance Officers Association award. It is available at www.tigard-or.gov/budget.
The budget contains a detailed summary of city services and capital improvements. Anyone with access to
the internet can see how Tigard's government functions and uses resources.
The Open Budget Portal was developed through the company Socrata,which offers cloud-based software
to many local government and helps turn public data into more useful information for the public.
Tools like Socrata's software can help residents become engaged citizens and participate in city decision-
making activities. The budget portal also will support the city's strategic vision, showing residents how the
city is funding its vision to become a more walkable,interconnected community while maintaining core
services.
For more information, contact Toby LaFrance at (503) 718-2406 or toby@tigard-or.gov.
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