The Pottawattamie County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department was formed in June of 2002 to administer and grow the County's GIS program. In 1998, the County made a significant investment in GIS technologies; including aerial photography, various spatial datasets, powerful new workstations, and leading GIS software. By 2002, the County recognized the potential of their GIS and subsequently addressed the need for internal management and budgeting. The decision was made to form an independent County department, whose administrator would report directly to the Board of Supervisors. Capital and budgeted monies were set aside to fund the new department. In June of 2002, a GIS Program Manager was hired and the GIS Department was officially formed.

The primary goal of the GIS Department today is to utilize GIS information technologies to increase productivity, reduce operating costs, improve services, and empower the Public with better access to tools and information. With GIS, the County hopes to streamline business processes, create efficient workflows, and increase access to and quality of information. GIS adds a visual element to much of the information the County manages on a daily basis. This capability can prove effective for illustrating information graphically, revealing patterns or trends, or as a tool to assist with land management and other County-related functions.

Examples of GIS at work in the County include comprehensive land records management and property mapping, Web-based access to information (spatial and non-spatial), customized mapping interfaces for Public Safety, road and infrastructure mapping and inventory, permit and plat application processing, address management, survey/GPS integration, election mapping, Emergency Management planning and response, asset management, and Conservation resource mapping. Long-term goals include a variety of public safety tools and resources, comprehensive land management programs, infrastructure and asset management integration, and the flexibility to quickly build custom map-based applications. Additionally, the County GIS Department intends to strengthen relationships with other agencies and neighboring communities through GIS data and services sharing. The County GIS Department hopes to improve the quality of life in the local community through the use of modern technologies and spatial information.

Geographic Information Systems Contacts: