February 14, 2001

WHY GIS?
How the integration of GIS could make our jobs
and interdepartmental communication easier…
Purpose for gathering…
To see the power of GIS and to examine the benefit of greater
integration of GIS into our daily work.

Meeting goals:
1) Introduce and acquaint everyone with GIS (10-15)
2) Examine our current approach to “spatial problem solving” (5-10)
3) Look at some alternatives to the current approach (5-10)
4) Discuss the feasibility of integrating some of these alternatives (10-15)
5) Schedule another meeting (if necessary)
1) What is GIS?
• GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems.
• GIS is the marrying of spatial (geographic) and aspatial (database) information into one “system” that allows the user to interact with both aspects
simultaneously.
• It is important to understand that GIS is a “system,” not a specific software.
• It is the most advanced electronic tool for examining spatial information in an organized manner.
How does GIS work?
• GIS is based on the active integration of real-world data, upon which various analyses can be processed and questions asked.
– This data is created through a variety of processes:
• 1. Digitization
• 2. GPS mapping
• 3. Coordinate Geometry (COGO)
• 4. Manual entry based on real-world coordinate
• GIS works in a continuous geographic projection, thereby ensuring that all of the data that is being worked with is strongly connected and tied to the real-world.
• GIS software allows users to actively add and subtract data (also known as themes), as well as turn the themes on or off and change their appearance.
– EXAMPLE 1
• GIS allows users to continuously interact with the data through queries, database requests and various levels of analysis.
– EXAMPLE 2
How does GIS work (cont’d):
• GIS allows spontaneous editing and manipulation of data, which can be immediately integrated back into the project.
– EXAMPLE 3
• QUESTIONS?
2) Our current approach:
• Within various departments of the county, various different approaches are used to look at spatial information
– Assessor’s Office
• CAD systems
• Paper information storage
– Public Works
• CAD Systems
• Database information storage
• Paper information storage
– Planning Department
• GIS
• Database information storage
• Paper information storage
• Hand mapping
3) Alternative approaches:
• Because departments depend on one another for information, it is important that the information that each department houses is compatible with the others. This allows quicker adaptation and usage of the information.
• The easiest way to achieve this is to all work with the same system or systems so that data does not have to be converted.
• Because so much of the work that we do is tied to real-world conditions, it makes sense to use a system which is focused on maintaining geographically based information. GIS is this system.
– By setting each department up with GIS, and training people on how to use it, we could easily create, integrate and pass data along that each other department could use.
– This data would reduce much of the “paper trail” and end the need for external information storage methods – ie. Database and paper-based information could be integrated into the GIS and associated with the spatial information that it relates to.
– As data changes (such as parcel boundaries / lot line adjustments), new versions can be distributed to each of the users, ensuring accurate and current information at all times.
3) Alternative approaches (cont’d):
– The information relationships would become much tighter and more
integrated, resulting in less work overall.
– Products, such as maps, database queries, charts and tables can be easily
created out of the GIS, integrating all of the information into one or two
presentation mediums.
Some potential use examples:
• Assessor / Appraiser’s office:
– Integrated spatial (parcel) information with external paper-based information for each parcel (EXAMPLE 4):
• Owner information
• Acreage of parcel
• Structure presence / absence
• Square footage of structure
• % of parcel developed / % of parcel with improvements
• Conditioned area for tax assesment
• Integration with planning / building to see if building permits have been filed on the property – need for a reappraisal?
– Easy manipulation of spatial data:
• Parcel subdivisions, etc.
– Keeping the information that is used every day simple:
• No need for complicated CAD drawings if all you are interested in is parcel-specific information.
Potential uses (cont’d):
• Public Works:
– Integrated spatial information with external database or paper based information for various features, such as:
• Landfills / Solid Waste
• Monitoring Wells
• Grading & Drainage information
• Borrow pits – location and content
• Roads – Pavement Management System database
– EXAMPLE 5
• Snow clearing system – develop efficient routes, etc.
4) Feasibility of Integration:
• Next Step / Requirements:
– Development of integration plan which should include at least the following points:
• 1. Plan for conversion of existing CAD data to GIS
• 2. Structure, maintenance and location of data library
• 3. Framework for user access to data library
• 4. Development of intra/inter agency use of data (data sharing)
– Purchasing of GIS software (this requires discussion)
– Instruction on use of software and GIS where needed
Recommendations:
• Because the capabilities of GIS, and the usage is so vast, some operations can be quite complex. However, it can be made quite simple for most people who will not need to do high level
analysis or operations with GIS. Therefore, I suggest the following:
– Where needed (in the case of Pete and others), train individuals on the use of GIS and its capabilities so that they make take full advantage of the functions and capabilities of it.
– Develop a “front end” program consisting of menus, dialog boxes, etc., that would allow any user to perform a variety of functions using GIS, with a limited working knowledge of the software.
• Such a program would allow users to search for parcels, communities, etc and perform a variety of functions on the selected feature, such as create maps with data overlays, get information about the feature, and add new information to the feature.
• This would benefit all departments and could be tailored to each to provide functions relating specifically to tasks they would typically want to use.
5) Schedule another meeting:
• Who should be in attendance?
• What should be the overall focus?