The City's Geographic Information System (GIS) staff collects, stores, updates, analyzes and displays geographically referenced data using:

• Computer Hardware
• Computer Software
• Geographical Data
• Demographic Data

Databases

Databases are central to our GIS and give us the ability to associate information with most features throughout the City. Data is constantly produced and updated. Visual representation of data, including high quality maps, charts, and spatial analysis reports, are presented to City officials to assist them in making timely decisions.

In the City's utility systems, the GIS staff creates and maintains databases of global positioning system (GPS) coordinates and physical characteristics for components, such as:

• Catch basins
• Fire hydrants
• Manholes
• Valves

Background Information

The GIS databases also contain valuable background information such as: 

• Property ownership and mailing address information
• Square footage of properties
• Subdivision plat and development names
• Zoning and land use of properties

Meeting Multiple Needs

This allows the GIS team to easily produce customized digital and visual information (e.g., maps, charts, reports, mailing lists) for diverse purposes, whether they be:

• A City Commissioner reviewing the zoning around a school
• A City planner needing to know if a specific type of business is located within a 500-foot radius of a certain address
• A police officer determining whether or not a sexual predator is residing within the correct boundaries
• The service crew trying to locate a water main break and affected customers