On August 25th, 2022, Metro Council Passed Open Data Ordinance; previously open data reports were published on Mayor Fischer's Executive Order, You can find here both the Open Data Ordinance, 2022 (PDF) and the Mayor's Open Data Executive Order, 2013
Open Data Annual Reports
Page 6 of the Open Data Ordinance, Within one year of the effective date of this Ordinance, and thereafter no later than September1 of each year, the Open Data Management Team shall submit to the Mayor and Metro Council an annual Open Data Report.
The Open Data Management team (also known as the Data Governance Team is currently led by the city's Data Officer Andrew McKinney in the Office of Civic Innovation and Technology. Previously, it was led by the former Data Officer, Michael Schnuerle and prior to that by Director of IT.
Open Data Ordinance O-243-22 Text
Louisville Metro Government
Legislation Text
File #: O-243-22, Version: 3
ORDINANCE NO.______, SERIES 2022
AN ORDINANCE CREATING A NEW CHAPTER OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON
COUNTY METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES CREATING AN OPEN DATA POLICY
AND REVIEW. (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION)(AS AMENDED).
SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS ARTHUR, WINKLER, CHAMBERS ARMSTRONG,
PIAGENTINI, DORSEY, AND PRESIDENT JAMES
WHEREAS, Metro Government is the catalyst for creating a world-class city that provides its
citizens with safe and vibrant neighborhoods, great jobs, a strong system of education and innovation
and a high quality of life;
WHEREAS, it should be easy to do business with Metro Government. Online government
interactions mean more convenient services for citizens and businesses and online government
interactions improve the cost effectiveness and accuracy of government operations;
WHEREAS, an open government also makes certain that every aspect of the built
environment also has reliable digital descriptions available to citizens and entrepreneurs for deep
engagement mediated by smart devices;
WHEREAS, every citizen has the right to prompt, efficient service from Metro Government;
WHEREAS, the adoption of open standards improves transparency, access to public
information and improved coordination and efficiencies among Departments and partner
organizations across the public, non-profit and private sectors;
WHEREAS, by publishing structured standardized data in machine readable formats, Metro
Government seeks to encourage the local technology community to develop software applications
and tools to display, organize, analyze, and share public record data in new and innovative ways;
WHEREAS, Metro Government’s ability to review data and datasets will facilitate a better
Understanding of the obstacles the city faces with regard to equity;
WHEREAS, Metro Government’s understanding of inequities, through data and datasets, will
assist in creating better policies to tackle inequities in the city;
WHEREAS, through this Ordinance, Metro Government desires to maintain its continuous
improvement in open data and transparency that it initiated via Mayoral Executive Order No. 1,
Series 2013;
WHEREAS, Metro Government’s open data work has repeatedly been recognized as
evidenced by its achieving What Works Cities Silver (2018), Gold (2019), and Platinum (2020)
certifications. What Works Cities recognizes and celebrates local governments for their exceptional
use of data to inform policy and funding decisions, improve services, create operational efficiencies,
and engage residents. The Certification program assesses cities on their data-driven decisionmaking
practices, such as whether they are using data to set goals and track progress, allocate
funding, evaluate the effectiveness of programs, and achieve desired outcomes. These datainformed
strategies enable Certified Cities to be more resilient, respond in crisis situations, increase
economic mobility, protect public health, and increase resident satisfaction; and
WHEREAS, in commitment to the spirit of Open Government, Metro Government will consider
public information to be open by default and will proactively publish data and data containing
information, consistent with the Kentucky Open Meetings and Open Records Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: A new chapter of the Louisville Metro Code of Ordinances (“LMCO”) mandating
an Open Data Policy and review process is hereby created as follows:
§ XXX.01 DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless
the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
OPEN DATA. Any public record as defined by the Kentucky Open Records Act, which could be
made available online using Open Format data, as well as best practice Open Data structures and
formats when possible, that is not Protected Information or Sensitive Information, with no legal
restrictions on use or reuse. Open Data is not information that is treated as exempt under KRS
61.878 by Metro Government.
OPEN DATA REPORT. The annual report of the Open Data Management Team, which shall (i)
summarize and comment on the state of Open Data availability in Metro Government Departments
from the previous year, including, but not limited to, the progress toward achieving the goals of Metro
Government’s Open Data portal, an assessment of the current scope of compliance, a list of datasets
currently available on the Open Data portal and a description and publication timeline for datasets
envisioned to be published on the portal in the following year; and (ii) provide a plan for the next year
to improve online public access to Open Data and maintain data quality.
OPEN DATA MANAGEMENT TEAM. A group consisting of representatives from each Department
within Metro Government and chaired by the Data Officer who is responsible for coordinating
implementation of an Open Data Policy and creating the Open Data Report.
DATA COORDINATORS. The members of an Open Data Management Team facilitated by the
Data Officer and the Office of Civic Innovation and Technology.
DEPARTMENT. Any Metro Government department, office, administrative unit, commission, board,
advisory committee, or other division of Metro Government.
DATA OFFICER. The staff person designated by the city to coordinate and implement the city’s
open data program and policy.
DATA. The statistical, factual, quantitative or qualitative information that is maintained or created by
or on behalf of Metro Government.
DATASET. A named collection of related records, with the collection containing data organized or
formatted in a specific or prescribed way.
METADATA. Contextual information that makes the Open Data easier to understand and use.
OPEN DATA PORTAL. The internet site established and maintained by or on behalf of Metro
Government located at <https://data.louisvilleky.gov/>; or its successor website.
OPEN FORMAT. Any widely accepted, nonproprietary, searchable, platform-independent, machinereadable
method for formatting data which permits automated processes.
PROTECTED INFORMATION. Any Dataset or portion thereof to which the Department may deny
access pursuant to any law, rule or regulation.
SENSITIVE INFORMATION. Any Data which, if published on the Open Data Portal, could raise
privacy, confidentiality or security concerns or have the potential to jeopardize public health, safety or
welfare to an extent that is greater than the potential public benefit of publishing that data.
§ XXX.02 OPEN DATA PORTAL
(A) The Open Data Portal shall serve as the authoritative source for Open Data provided by Metro
Government.
(B) Any Open Data made accessible on Metro Government’s Open Data Portal shall use an Open
Format.
(C) In the event a successor website is used, the Data Officer shall notify the Metro Council and
shall provide notice to the public on the main city website.
§ XXX.03 OPEN DATA MANAGEMENT TEAM
(A) The Data Officer of Metro Government will work with the head of each Department to identify a
Data Coordinator in each Department. The Open Data Management Team will work to establish a
robust, nationally recognized, platform that addresses digital infrastructure and Open Data.
(B) The Open Data Management Team will develop an Open Data Policy that will adopt prevailing
Open Format standards for Open Data and develop agreements with regional partners to publish and
maintain Open Data that is open and freely available while respecting exemptions allowed by the
Kentucky Open Records Act or other federal or state law.
§ XXX.04 DEPARTMENT OPEN DATA CATALOGUE
(A) Each Department shall retain ownership over the Datasets they submit to the Open Data
Portal. The Departments shall also be responsible for all aspects of the quality, integrity and security
Portal. The Departments shall also be responsible for all aspects of the quality, integrity and security
of the Dataset contents, including updating its Data and associated Metadata.
(B) Each Department shall be responsible for creating an Open Data catalogue which shall include
comprehensive inventories of information possessed and/or managed by the Department.
(C) Each Department’s Open Data catalogue will classify information holdings as currently “public”
or “not yet public;” Departments will work with the Office of Civic Innovation and Technology to
develop strategies and timelines for publishing Open Data containing information in a way that is
complete, reliable and has a high level of detail.
§ XXX.05 OPEN DATA REPORT AND POLICY REVIEW
(A) Within one year of the effective date of this Ordinance, and thereafter no later than September
1 of each year, the Open Data Management Team shall submit to the Mayor and Metro Council an
annual Open Data Report.
(B) Metro Council may request a specific Department to report on any data or dataset that may be
beneficial or pertinent in implementing policy and legislation.
(C) In acknowledgment that technology changes rapidly, in the future, the Open Data Policy should
shall be reviewed annually and considered for revisions or additions that will continue to position
Metro Government as a leader on issues of openness, efficiency, and technical best practices.
SECTION II: This Ordinance shall be effective upon its passage and approval or otherwise
becoming law.
____________________________
Sonya Harward
Metro Council Clerk
___________________________
David James
Metro Council President
____________________________
Mayor Greg Fisher
___________________________
Approval Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
By: ____________________________________
O-243-22 As amended 8-25-22
Full Previous Executive Order Text
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1, SERIES 2013
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
CREATING AN OPEN DATA PLAN.
WHEREAS, Metro Government is the catalyst for creating a world-class city that provides its citizens with safe and vibrant neighborhoods, great jobs, a strong system of education and innovation, and a high quality of life; and
WHEREAS, it should be easy to do business with Metro Government. Online government interactions mean more convenient services for citizens and businesses and online government interactions improve the cost effectiveness and accuracy of government operations; and
WHEREAS, an open government also makes certain that every aspect of the built environment also has reliable digital descriptions available to citizens and entrepreneurs for deep engagement mediated by smart devices; and
WHEREAS, every citizen has the right to prompt, efficient service from Metro Government; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of open standards improves transparency, access to public information and improved coordination and efficiencies among Departments and partner organizations across the public, nonprofit and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, by publishing structured standardized data in machine readable formats the Louisville Metro Government seeks to encourage the local software community to develop software applications and tools to collect, organize, and share public record data in new and innovative ways; and
WHEREAS, in commitment to the spirit of Open Government, Louisville Metro Government will consider public information to be open by default and will proactively publish data and data containing information, consistent with the Kentucky Open Meetings and Open Records Act; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROMULGATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE HONORABLE GREG FISCHER, MAYOR OF LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Executive Order, the terms below shall have the following definitions:
(A) “Open Data” means any public record as defined by the Kentucky Open Records Act, which could be made available online using Open Format data, as well as best practice Open Data structures and formats when possible. Open Data is not information that is treated exempt under KRS 61.878 by Metro Government.
(B) “Open Data Report” is the annual report of the Open Data Management Team, which shall (i) summarize and comment on the state of Open Data availability in Metro Government Departments from the previous year; (ii) provide a plan for the next year to improve online public access to Open Data and maintain data quality. The Open Data Management Team shall present an initial Open Data Report to the Mayor within 180 days of this Executive Order.
(C) “Open Format” is any widely accepted, nonproprietary, platform-independent, machine-readable method for formatting data, which permits automated processing of such data and is accessible to external search capabilities.
(D) “Open Data Portal” means the Internet site established and maintained by or on behalf of Metro Government, located at portal.louisvilleky.gov/service/data or its successor website.
(E) “Open Data Management Team” means a group consisting of representatives from each Department within Metro Government and chaired by the Chief Information Officer (CIO) that is responsible for coordinating implementation of an Open Data Policy and creating the Open Data Report.
(F) “Department” means any Metro Government department, office, administrative unit, commission, board, advisory committee, or other division of Metro Government within the official jurisdiction of the executive branch.
Section 2. Open Data Portal.
(A) The Open Data Portal shall serve as the authoritative source for Open Data provided by Metro Government
(B) Any Open Data made accessible on Metro Government’s Open Data Portal shall use an Open Format.
Section 3. Open Data Management Team.
(A) The Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Louisville Metro Government will work with the head of each Department to identify a Data Coordinator in each Department. Data Coordinators will serve as members of an Open Data Management Team facilitated by the CIO and Metro Technology Services. The Open Data Management Team will work to establish a robust, nationally recognized, platform that addresses digital infrastructure and Open Data.
(B) The Open Data Management Team will develop an Open Data management policy that will adopt prevailing Open Format standards for Open Data, and develop agreements with regional partners to publish and maintain Open Data that is open and freely available while respecting exemptions allowed by the Kentucky Open Records Act or other federal or state law.
Section 4. Department Open Data Catalogue.
(A) Each Department shall be responsible for creating an Open Data catalogue, which will include comprehensive inventories of information possessed and/or managed by the Department.
(B) Each Department’s Open Data catalogue will classify information holdings as currently “public” or “not yet public”; Departments will work with Metro Technology Services to develop strategies and timelines for publishing open data containing information in a way that is complete, reliable, and has a high level of detail.
Section 5. Open Data Report and Policy Review.
(A) Within one year of the effective date of this Executive Order, and thereafter no later than September 1 of each year, the Open Data Management Team shall submit to the Mayor an annual Open Data Report.
(B) In acknowledgment that technology changes rapidly, in the future, the Open Data Policy should be reviewed and considered for revisions or additions that will continue to position Metro Government as a leader on issues of openness, efficiency, and technical best practices.
Section 6. This Executive Order shall take effect as of October _11_, 2013.
Signed this 11th day of October, 2013, by Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government.
GREG FISCHER, MAYOR
