Summit County has four separate GIS departments, each analyzing geographic data.
Two are overseen by the county executive.
One by the fiscal officer.
And yet another by the engineer.
That’s three too many, county leaders say.
Under legislation pending before County Council, the county would consolidate GIS functions — short for geographic information systems — into a single Division of Planning and Geographic Information Systems under the county executive’s control.
The move not only makes common sense, it also would save taxpayers about $180,000 a year through common purchasing and a reduced number of workers, said Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry.
He outlined the consolidation Monday for the council.
Today, there are 12 employees devoted to GIS work, which can include everything from identifying the location of manhole covers to housing appraisals. After the consolidation, there would be 10 workers.
The council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee signed off Monday on the move. The consolidation would take place Nov. 1 if approved by the full council next week.
Once the new division is up and running, Dodson said, the county would like to offer GIS services to local cities, villages and townships.
The county’s four GIS departments are now in the Department of Community and Economic Development, Environmental Services, Fiscal Office and Engineer’s Office.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
