OpenGov Financial Data Transparency Portal
In an effort to enhance transparency in financial reporting, the Finance Department invites you to explore our new OpenGov site to gain a better understanding of Mansfield’s financial data. Our new OpenGov site allows you to explore the City’s current and historical finances in a simple graphical interface. Each graph, chart, or table is interactive, dynamic, and shareable. Below you will find some frequently asked questions that we hope will help you maximize the potential of the OpenGov site.
- What is OpenGov?
- OpenGov is a financial transparency website which displays the City’s finances currently and over a five (5) year period. The default view displays the City’s current year’s monthly actual revenue and expenses.
- How do I select the data I want to see?
- To focus on specific data – like a fund, department, expense type, or any combination – use the menu on the left side panel. The “By” drop-down allows you to specify which breakdown you want the graphs and table rows to represent on the graph. You can analyze the expense and revenues data by fund, department, project, or type.
- Can I select more than funds or departments?
- Yes. Use the Data Filter on the left side panel to make specific selections within the data. The Data Filter shows you the hierarchical relationships of Funds, Departments, and Account Types. You’ll notice the title of the graph you are viewing on top along with the account type selector. You can use the filter to see the data of most interest to you.
- How do I see the actual numbers within the graph?
- Hover over any area of the graph to see the actual or budgeted amounts for that period. Or, just scroll down to see a table with detailed information.
- Can I see the data in a different graph?
- Yes. Use the Data Filter on the left side panel to make specific selections within the data. The Data Filter shows you the hierarchical relationships of Funds, Departments, and Account Types. You’ll notice the title of the graph you are viewing on top along with the account type selector. You can use the filter to see the data of most interest to you.
- Is there an OpenGov How-to Guide?
- OpenGov How-to Guide: OpenGov allows you to explore budget and historical finances in a simple graphical user interface.
- You’ll notice the title of the Report you are viewing in the top left corner.
- Click on Saved on the left-hand side to view a list of common or favorite views on each report.
- Select Filter to display key menus.
- You can use the Show drop-down to select the data that is of most interest to you.
- Use the Broken Down By drop-down to specify the category you would like the data organized by in your chart or graph.
- Select the Filtered By option to view the data filters. These filters will allow you to select exactly which data you want to include, or exclude, from your graph or chart.
- Use the Search function within each filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
- If your organization has uploaded multiple years of data, a Fiscal Year slider will be present below the Filtered By menu. Move the sliders to choose the fiscal year(s) of data you would like to see.
- There are five different types of visual representations of the data:
- A stacked percentage graph to see percentage changes over time.
- A stacked line graph to visualize overall trends over time.
- A line graph overlaying each trend over time.
- A pie chart to view percentage breakdowns by year. To view data for other years, move the slider below the pie chart.
- A bar chart comparing trends and percentage breakdowns over time.
- Below any chart or graph, you can view a Table detailing the financial information in the visualization above.
- Use the Help drop-down in the top right corner to:
- View a short How-To Guide with tips on navigating the platform.
- Recall the Welcome Screen.
- View a short Multi-Fund Accounting 101 primer with basic information on multi-fund accounting.
- Contact the administrators of the account.
- Use the Share drop-down in the top right corner to:
- Share your customized graph or chart through social media.
- Send a link to your customized graph or chart through email.
- Use the Download drop-down in the top right corner to:
- Download an image of the graph or table as a .png file.
- Download a spreadsheet as a .csv file.
For additional information on OpenGov and to access education materials, please visit: http://www.opengov.com/resources
- Can I save and or share the data I am looking at?
- Yes, there are Share and Download buttons in the upper right corner. You can share any view on a social network or by email. There are also options to download the displayed data in .csv spreadsheet and .png image formats. Additionally, you can copy and paste the url at the top of the page you are viewing.
- How do I learn more about government accounting?
- Click and drop down the Help menu on the top right corner to navigate to the “Multi-Fund Accounting 101” primer to learn more about government accounting.
- I have a question. How do I contact the City?
- Use the Help menu on the top right corner to navigate to the “Contact City of Mansfield” option to send your message to the City.
Sample Queries
- Current Year Actual Monthly Reports. Use View tab on left side for saved report views. See Supplemental Documents, bottom left side, for monthly summaries.
- What are the City’s total revenues?
- What are the City’s total expenses?
- What are the expenses by Departments – all Funds?
- What are the Income Tax Collections by Levy?