LTC 278-2016 Open Data and Analytics Program Update MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 278-2016 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members o the City Co] mission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: June 30, 2016
SUBJECT: Open Data and Analytics Program U date
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide an update on our progress
towards an Open Data and Analytics Program in the City of Miami Beach.
On March 18, 2016, Commissioner Arriola referred a discussion item to the Finance and
Citywide Projects Committee on implementing an open data policy. Since then, staff has
been researching and communicating with peer cities and technical professionals.
Updates were provided at a subsequent Finance Committee meeting on May 20, 2016.
At the June 8, 2016 City Commission meeting, Commission directed staff to proceed
towards implementation and prepare a budget amendment for the remainder of this
year.
Due to the preparation needed to develop a new program, staff has developed a plan
that will not actually need funding until the new fiscal year in October. Therefore, my
proposed budget will include a proposed enhancement with the start-up costs for a full
year of$647,000. This includes the following:
• One Strategic Program Manager based in the Manager's Office for policy
direction and coordination (top salary and fringe $162,000);
• One Data Analyst based in the Information Technology Department reporting to
the Program Manager responsible for the technical support and details of the
program (top salary and fringe $121,500);
• One Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist based in Public Works
reporting to the Program Manager (top salary and fringe $113,400);
• Procurement of Socrata services and software ($150,000);
• Other operating and capital costs including initial hardware and software,
ongoing training to the latest information available, "hackathons", engagement,
outreach, etc ($100,000)
Staff is prepared to develop job descriptions and recruit for the Program Manager and
Data Analyst in August and September. If approved by the Commission during the
September budget hearings, then we would be poised to hire after October 1, 2016 and
launch the program in the Spring of 2017.
Staff envisions this to be an important step in understanding and leveraging the
capabilities of data, both internally and for stakeholders who will be able to access the
data. Data important for resiliency efforts would be prioritized. To maximize the benefits
of the data, there is potential to utilize it for problem solving, performance management,
and decision making as the initiative matures.
If you have any questions, please contact Assistant City Manager Susanne Torriente.