A Government that Talks to Itself
The City of Mishawaka was striving to implement GIS on a citywide level. At the beginning, most
department heads were doubtful or concerned that GIS was too difficult or expensive. Typical
interaction between or within departments was limited to conversations or looking at paper
diagrams and information. The challenge was to have all departments keeping their geographic
information in the same digital formats.
The GIS Director cultivated departmental GIS coordinators, who were then equipped with software,
training, server space, hardware, and if necessary, consulting services. Consultants helped design
extensive databases for the GIS, linking Electric, Water, and Storm/Sewer systems. Using the GIS,
these three departments now have accurate GPS data are able to seamlessly transfer it to each
other, and the Engineering Department.
The Redevelopment, Planning, and Street Departments are now using GIS on a daily basis. The Fire Department
is also working on specialized maps for Fire and EMS vehicles, and the Police Department has
begun work on crime mapping and analysis.
Results
Any employee can go into the GIS and locate certain properties or areas. A map can be
quickly printed out (or simply viewed) which includes high-resolution aerial photography and
City data so that discussions with citizens are more informed. Other intelligent maps are used to
communicate with the public in an intuitive, visual way. GIS-generated maps have been provided to
the County Prosecutor, the City Clerk, and department heads, as well as other outside organizations.
Duplication of effort and outdated data methods are gradually being eliminated, making city government more
efficient. The GIS has improved intra- and inter-departmental coordination, streamlined workflows, sped up
access to information, and enabled more intuitive decision making.
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