Instead, the learning point here maybe is that, if you spend the time to spec something out properly, and make it into a nice little package, and say its for the good of the government and community, maybe you can get some altrustic programmers to help out, if you give them sufficient credit.

Maybe instead you should think about how to better create a list of timeboxed /scopedtasks that any programmer can come and submit a PR for, and how to better reward those people with fame or other perks

- Leaderboard of contributors, # of prs, dollars saved taxpayers?

- Let users link to their contributions / put in resume?

- personal letter from the mayor once you submit 3 successful PRs that are accepted?