The Montgomery County Council recently passed the Open Data Act, and launched openMontgomery which the Department of Technology Services developed and will maintain along with the Public Information Office.  Elements of the program include:

• a new digital roadmap that will guide the County’s efforts to deliver better services using modern tools and technologies;
• a new open data website that will provide constituents with convenient access to a growing variety of information;
• a new social media platform to encourage public participation on key County issues; and,
• new mobile versions of the County’s award-winning web portal, MC311 website, and Storm Operations website.

At the press conference, County Executive Isiah Leggett shared,  “Providing this diverse community with a responsive and accountable County Government has long been my highest priority, I am pleased that these new efforts will substantially strengthen this County’s ability to be even more transparent to our residents and businesses, as well as more efficient internally.”

Use of technology to enhance open government practices is a topic that will be discussed at MACo’s upcoming Winter Conference, where public information officers and emergency managers will discuss their use of web and social media in their work.  The Winter Conference will be held at the Hyatt Resort in Cambridge, Maryland from January 2-4, 2013.  Registration is now open.