Local governments deliver services and decide policies while managing an information glut with ever-tightening budgets. To meet this daunting challenge, local governments increasingly turn to geographic information systems (GIS) technology to coordinate resources, save tax dollars, and plan for the future. In The GIS Guide for Local Government Officials, municipal GIS experts suggest practical approaches for incorporating this powerful mapping technology into a city or county, no matter what size. Case studies drawn from throughout North America illustrate how officials have successfully applied GIS to their specific needs, from monitoring storm drains in Hawaii to fixing potholes in Canada. The editor has compiled the observations of six contributing authors, all with extensive experience in local government management and GIS operations. Other government officials describe in their own words how GIS has become an indispensable tool that enhances communication and promotes efficient management. About the editor: Cory Fleming is a senior project manager with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in Washington, D.C., where she conducts research on a variety of local government management issues. She has an extensive background in community and economic development, having worked with local governments, community groups, and nonprofit organizations on a variety of development issues for nearly a decade in the Midwest. Her interest in GIS began while working with scientists in Africa on the impact of land-use and land-cover change. GIS technology aided the scientists greatly in conveying the policy implications of their work to decision makers, and Ms. Fleming has been a believer ever since. She has a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a master's degree from the Johns Hopkins University. ISBN: 1-58948-141-0 2005 190 pages |
