ControlPanel LA is the city’s source for information about expenditures, revenues, payroll, and special funds. The What We Buy data shows which items L.A. spends our money on like $21, 929 on custom boots for police on motorcycle patrol or the $13,363 L.A. spent on the unfortunately named L.U.S.T. Tax, short for Leaking Underground Storage Tank.
The data is presented in clickable card sets that provide relevant and easy to understand information on each expenditure . The cards aren’t extremely in depth but provide a clear starting point for those who are interested in what L.A. does with tax revenue.
“(Ontologies)…act as objects that create and negotiate boundaries between groups…communities and states represent the realities around them through distinct ontologies, or systems of categories and their interrelations by which groups order and manage information about the people, places, things, and events around them.”
This site uses this definition of ontology to be easily understood by the community.The boundaries set are what information the L.A. Controller’s office chooses to give freely.
This data set could be more specific. The exact time range for purchases are missing. The ” What is this” and “Why did we buy this” descriptions can come off a bit patronizing in sections like the LA Fire Department where they explain “firefighters use hoses to pump water from trucks and hydrants… fire hoses are essential tools for fighting fires protecting property and saving lives”. We know that but why did our fire hoses cost $1,348,566 and what exact date was that purchase or when will you have to purchase more because that only paid for 7,617 hoses.
If I was starting over, I would allow for more links to deeper examination of spending.