West Chester OKs vendor for new transparency tool

West Chester Twp. trustees approved a contract with online data source OpenGov for a total of $152,000 over three years.

Township Administrator Judi Boyko recommended OpenGov over Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel’s free online checkbook — many Butler County governments have gone that route — wanting instead, she said, to have a tool that offers a deeper database both for the public and to be used between township departments.

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The tool will cost up to $56,000 this year and $48,000 in the final two years of the contract.

Boyko told trustees after she put out a request for proposals two vendors replied. She said she recommended the more “robust” option for transparency.

“The township wants its open data platform to perform two primary functions, one of them is of course the public’s thirst and desire for transparency and data and information,” Boyko previously said.

“And what I believe is equally important is the strategic internal purpose, which is integrating mapping and cross referencing all of our data platforms that exist right now in silos,” she said.

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