GIS Mapping & Spatial Data
General Information

What is GIS?

GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems, which is a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.

Introduction

Washington County has been using GIS technology in the Planning Department since 1991, with minimal participation by other departments and agencies.  In 2004, a subcommittee was appointed to study the idea of how GIS should be expanded, supported and managed within the county organization.  A Needs Assessment was completed in 2005 and identified the need to create and Enterprise GIS office in the Information Technologies Department.  In April 2006, an Implementation Plan was present to and adopted by the Washington County Board of County Commissioners and serves as the guide for the establishment of a GIS Office within the Information Technologies Department.  The GIS Office was officially created on July 1, 2006 and is focused on implementing interoperable technologies, standards and methods so that GIS data and service can support core county business needs more efficiently and effectively.

GIS is a proven technology that has been used widely by government and other organizations for more than 30 years to support the mapping and management of information tied to a physical location in space.  The majority of information that is collected and used by government agencies, utility companies and other public and private organizations is geographically referenced.  GIS applications provides users with a wide array of capabilities for getting information, integrating multiple databases, generating maps, performing queries, and producing various analyses.  GIS also provides and efficient way to keep data current and consistent.  Government agencies trust GIS technology to establish and regulate policy and to strengthen the welfare of their citizens. GIS is also an intelligent means for agencies to provide public information.

The Role of GIS in Washington County Government 

Until recently, GIS has solely been used as a planning level function within the County’s Planning Department.  The GIS Staff in the Department provide mapping support and data analysis to the other members of the planning staff and other county agencies for the tracking of planning related information.  The Planning GIS Staff currently authors a wide range of products which includes, but is not limited to: county-wide zoning maps, comprehensive plan maps and the land use plan maps.  The GIS Staff also supports the production of maps for the Water and Sewerage Plan, the Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan and the Solid Waste Plan.  The Planning Department GIS is currently working cooperatively with the GIS Office to establish and county-wide Enterprise GIS.

Top of Page
GIS Home Page
Planning Home Page
Return to Washington County Home Page