What if Artificial Intelligence wrote policies and bylaws?

AI generated image of City Admin realizing AI is WAY MORE efficient than them…

TLDR; it’s probably better and cheaper than the current system of treating the city like a pirate ship.

My Prompt: write a policy, and a seperate bylaw for the city of Mdicine Ht to make public info freely available on their website. Outline a simple process, like the city of calgary, that EVEN has all gifts over $25 listed to all councillors. Open records Alberta, open data acts, use all legislation that is relevant that will make info more transparent and save all parties money.

CHATGPT4’s respsonse:

Policy for Transparent Access to Public Information: City of Medicine Hat

Policy Name: Open Data and Transparency Policy
Purpose:
This policy establishes a framework to ensure Medicine Hat residents have unrestricted and cost-effective access to public information, fostering transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. It aligns with provincial legislation and leverages modern open-data practices to save resources and enhance public trust.

Policy Details:

1. Objective:
   The City of Medicine Hat will make non-confidential public records freely accessible on its website, adhering to the principles of transparency, accountability, and cost-efficiency.

2. Scope:
   The policy applies to all municipal departments, elected officials, and employees.

3. Information to Be Published Online:

   • Meeting agendas, minutes, and recorded votes.

   • Financial disclosures, including annual budgets, audited financial statements, and spending reports.

   • Councillor disclosures, including gifts over $25 and expenses.

   • Approved bylaws, policies, and resolutions.

   • Procurement records for contracts above $10,000.

   • Reports on public engagement outcomes.

   • Environmental monitoring data.

4. Compliance with Legislation:
   The policy complies with the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), Open Data and Open Government Act, and other relevant laws to ensure sensitive or personal information remains protected.

5. Standardized Publication Process:

   • Real-Time Updates: All applicable documents will be uploaded within seven business days of their creation or approval.

   • Searchable Online Database: An open and user-friendly database will house all records, ensuring accessibility.

   • Public Dashboard: A dashboard will display summaries of frequently accessed records.

6. Cost Savings and Efficiency:
   By proactively publishing information, the city reduces FOIP requests, freeing resources and saving time for administration and the public.

Bylaw for Transparent Access to Public Information

Bylaw Title: City of Medicine Hat Open Data and Information Accessibility Bylaw
Bylaw Number: 2024-05

Preamble:
WHEREAS the City of Medicine Hat values transparency and accountability to its residents, this bylaw mandates the proactive publication of public information to ensure open governance while reducing administrative costs.

1. Short Title:

This bylaw may be cited as the "Open Data Bylaw."

2. Definitions:

• Public Information: Any municipal record not classified as confidential under Alberta FOIP.

• Open Data: Data that is freely available, machine-readable, and shared without restrictions.

3. Application:

This bylaw applies to all departments, employees, and officials of the City of Medicine Hat.

4. Publicly Accessible Information:

The City shall publish the following on its official website:

• Councillor Disclosures: All gifts valued over $25, donations, and expense reports.

• Procurement Records: All contracts exceeding $10,000.

• Public Reports: Annual budgets, audit summaries, environmental monitoring, and major infrastructure updates.

• Meeting Records: Agendas, minutes, and resolutions within seven business days of meetings.

5. Open Data Platform:

The City will maintain an open data portal that provides real-time access to:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps.

• Infrastructure project timelines.

• Key performance indicators for municipal services.

6. Implementation:

• Training: Staff will be trained to classify and upload documents in a timely manner.

• Compliance: Failure to comply with this bylaw will result in internal review and potential penalties as defined by the City Manager.

7. Exemptions:

This bylaw does not apply to information classified as sensitive or private under Alberta FOIP.

8. Review:

The policy and bylaw will be reviewed annually to ensure compliance and efficiency.

9. Effective Date:

This bylaw comes into effect on January 1, 2025.

Benefits:

• Cost Savings: Reduced FOIP request fees and administrative processing.

• Public Trust: A transparent system increases civic engagement.

• Efficiency: Calgary’s system serves as a model, showing how proactive publication can simplify processes.

By adopting these measures, Medicine Hat can set a benchmark for transparency and governance across Alberta.