Resolution to AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF THE LAND INFORMATION / GIS DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR POSITION

In 2005, following the retirement of the County Cartographer, the two staff members of the Mapping Department were reassigned to the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department, forming the foundation of the GIS Division.

Since that time, the division has grown significantly and now manages an annual budget exceeding $1,000,000, including the Land Records Modernization fund, employs six full-time staff members, and carries out a wide range of responsibilities. These include parcel mapping, development of GIS web applications, administration of a County-wide GIS system used by multiple departments, 911 address mapping, property listing, and real estate assessment functions, and provides GIS support for other agencies for emergency response activities.

Given the expanded scope and complexity of services, continued management of this function as a division within the MIS Department has proven inefficient.

In many comparable counties throughout Wisconsin, these functions are organized under a dedicated Land Information Department. In alignment with this model, this resolution proposes the establishment of a new standalone department titled the Land Information / GIS Department and the creation of a Department Director position to oversee this function, which would continue to report to the Land Resources and Environment Committee.