DEPARTMENT: Information and Technology Services Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Craig Hopkins, Chief Information Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing an Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement to provide a framework for sharing data among governmental entities located in the Greater San Antonio Metropolitan Area. Many instances occur in which the sharing of data would be useful and mutually beneficial for SmartSA entities, but an existing agreement to do so is not currently available. The proposed Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement facilitates the data sharing process and allows for the sharing of confidential and public information among SmartSA entities. The Agreement will also ensure that the proper transmission, handling, storage, and protection of data is in place when information is exchanged.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio is expected to grow by more than 1 million residents by 2040. In order to continue to deliver quality services to the residents of San Antonio, City Leadership, public transit providers, local business and community developers will need to work together to effectively plan for this growth. SA 2020, SA Tomorrow, VIA Vision 2040, Brooks Master Plan, and the Medical Center Master Plan are a few of the strategic plans created to address this growth.
SmartSA will synthesize these strategic plans and ultimately provide the platform and innovative techniques as well as technology to make them a reality. We must first build relationships with our trusted SmartSA partners, provide a thoughtful and innovative approach to solving our community’s challenges and form a unified governance structure to oversee SmartSA initiatives, as well as provide leadership to share data and resources,
SmartSA is composed of the following key agencies:
• City of San Antonio
• CPS Energy
• San Antonio Water System
• VIA Metropolitan Transit
• San Antonio River Authority
Sharing of data between SmartSA entities requires that an Interlocal Agreement be created for each request in order to facilitate the data sharing process. The City currently shares data with multiple entities within the San Antonio Area, but each agreement is formulated on an individual basis. The current methodology for sharing data requires that an agreement be drafted, negotiated, and reviewed by each entity’s legal and executive team each time a request is made before data may be exchanged.
ISSUE:
A number of challenges arise by not having an Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement in place. One such obstacle is that each time a SmartSA entity would like to share data, they must create and execute an Interlocal Agreement to do so. An Interlocal Agreement requires an extensive amount of time to formulate, negotiate, and execute, which often delays or prevents the exchange of valuable data. In addition, without an Interlocal Agreement in place, the parties are unable to collaborate in developing uniform policies and security measures to ensure that data is properly transferred, handled, stored, and protected for the benefit of the public.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should this contract not be approved, the City of San Antonio would need to continue to form, negotiate, and execute a separate agreement for each data sharing request between the City of San Antonio and each of the identified governmental entities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes an Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement to provide a framework for sharing data among governmental entities located in the Greater San Antonio Metropolitan Area and there is no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Utilize the Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement to provide the City of San Antonio and local governmental entities with a sustainable framework for data sharing. The execution of this Interlocal Data Sharing Agreement is contingent upon acceptance by the parties identified in the Agreement.