Local GIS Tidbits
So, what’s the price for Woolpert implemented City Works (sic)? Columbia County, Georgia got a “great deal.”
According to Deputy Administrator Scott Johnson, the county was interested in the same program in 2001, but declined because of cost. Now, nine years later, the same program is available at a savings of more than $50,000.
Development Services Director Richard Harmon said the system was budgeted for $120,000, but they found an Atlanta vendor, Woolpert, that was able to provide the system, including 25 licenses and training, for $49,500.
Another interesting feature, Howard said, is a unique public access component they can add later, where people can use smart phones to upload problems they see in the field, then follow up on the progress through dedicated links.
“It’s just something we’ve wanted and really needed for a while,” Howard said, “and we got a great deal on it.”
Linn County, KS approved service charges for GIS services. It:
Approved new labor rates for the GIS/Mapping service to charge for services. The rates will be five cents per point and 10 cents per line segment.
GIS is getting the nod as a resource as Virginia preps for the latest hurricane.
Boone County updated its website; it’s not clear if the mapping was updated. Still the mapping options represent something I’m seeing more and more: a Google Map to start, then a custom in-house or hosted custom app for details. In Boone County you start here with Google, then are sent to a page to view a free or paid version of the IMS. There’s also a link for downloadable maps (pdf). There’s a warning on those: “Please be aware, that while we make every attempt to keep these maps up to date, many of them go out of date monthly.”
Ripley, in Brown County, Ohio now has “a complete Geographical Informational System scan performed by the Operator Training Committee of Ohio, which is based in Columbus.” I’m not sure what a “scan” is but it sounds like the company did data collection using GPS. “According to [Executive Director] Truss, in order to scan each point, workers use small, hand-held Trimble XT computer units to accurately pinpoint a location through a satellite hook up as well as provide a digital picture of residences and businesses. ” The team “scanned 117 hydrants, 999 meters, 233 manholes, 144 valves and four lift stations.” The $120,000 four week project was done for $25,000 in seven days.
Simpcw First Nation (British Columbia, CA) is developing a land use plan that will cover its entire traditional territory, band councilor Fred Fortier. “There are pithouses all over. We are going to GIS (geographic information system) layer everything we know about our territory.” However, the band does not plan to consult with local communities. A similar approach was used by the Squamish, but the local paper notes those ended up being too costly: $500,000 to $1 million.
