Access to county data now online

On June 2, the County of Sonoma launched two new websites providing access to publicly owned data. The sites are essentially a database for a variety of county data. The new sites offer up a variety of information, allowing anyone with internet access the ability to view the county budget, police logs, even its most popular baby names.
SoCo Data, the bulk of the program, is described as “an open data portal” and provides users access to public information collected by the county. Want to know how many Sonoma County employees rely on public transportation? Or if your favorite lunch spot has received any health violations? It’s all there, and more.
Another facet of the site, SoCo Budget, was created to provide easily accessible budgetary information. “As part of our commitment to transparency, open government and citizen engagement, this new site presents the county’s revenue and operating budgets to help promote an understanding of how the budget is structured and where the county is dedicating available resources,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Efren Carrillo.
This new application provides details about Sonoma County’s $1.6 billion annual operating budget. “With an interactive visual interface that allows the public to explore charts and graphs of summary data, SoCo Budget simplifies budget information and increases accessibility for citizens,” said Carrillo.
SoCo Report It, housed in a different site, allows residents of the unincorporated county to report maintenance issues and submit repair service requests. SoCo Report It is intended to provide an alternative method of communicating with the county.
In the coming months, both sites will continue to be expanded. The Sonoma County Information Services Department will continue the development of additional online services, providing opportunities for the public to engage with their local government. These plan to include virtual town hall meetings and civic online forums.
Both the SoCo Budget and SoCo Data applications can be accessed at www.data.sonomacounty.ca.gov.
While SoCo Report It can be found at www.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Services/SoCo-Report-It a smartphone app version can also be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play.