(A short guide for readers and contributors)
Local government should be as transparent as open-source software.
Every line of code in a good project is visible, testable, and improvable. Why not treat our civic data the same way?
Debugging Fairfax is an experiment in open-source local government. We gather, verify, and explain Fairfax County’s data — budgets, meetings, and public records — so anyone can understand how their government works and how to improve it.
We follow a simple, three-step loop for every topic we cover:
| Step | What It Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Data | Publish the raw source with links. | County budget PDFs, population tables, spreadsheets. |
| 2. Diagnosis | Look for inconsistencies or missing pieces. | “Two totals don’t match — what did we miss?” |
| 3. Pull Request | Invite readers to suggest corrections or context. | “Send a better source and we’ll update with credit.” |
Every correction is documented. Every improvement is visible. This is how we build trust: through version control for facts.
- We debug data, not people. No partisan attacks or personal criticism.
- Sources over slogans. Every number is traceable to a public document.
- Transparency over certainty. When data conflicts, we show both and explain why.
- Credit where due. Contributors are acknowledged in each update.
Short, visual briefs called Fairfax by the Numbers — clear snapshots of where tax dollars go and how open government actually is.
Each brief includes:
- Key metrics (like budget per resident or meeting transparency).
- Comparisons with neighboring counties.
- Links to all source documents.
- Subscribe to receive each release.
- Fact-check our numbers — if you find a bug, email the correction with your source.
- Host a small debugging session in your community.
You don’t need to be a policy expert — just curious and willing to look at data in good faith.
We’re not trying to win arguments. We’re trying to rebuild civic trust by showing that facts, when verified together, can still unite people.
Given enough citizens, all bugs are shallow.
Suggestions, data sources, or corrections: 📧 chris@debuggingfairfax.org
