Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department

MISSION STATEMENT:  The mission of the GIS department is to use the combined expertise of each employee to provide accurate, up-to-date and easy to use mapping and asset management information services to City departments and the public.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrate spatial data (maps) and tabular data (informational databases) through computer technology. In doing so, it revolutionizes the way in which we can utilize information.

We see GIS as one of the basic building blocks of the City of Traverse City’s technology offerings. Our goal is to deploy GIS throughout the City and in doing so, to improve the way services are delivered to citizens.

The GIS Staff supports the creation and maintenance of databases, develops applications and provides technical assistance to a growing base of GIS users.

This Department specifically includes the functions of:

• Website maintenance, development, and support
• Web Content Management System user training
• Web-based GIS application development, implementation and support
• Asset Management Systems Implementation and support
• Annual  street surface condition rating
• GIS/Asset Management System user support
• Develop and maintain GIS/Asset feature databases
• Database Administration
• Work Order Management System implementation and support

Where we are headed in the near future (one to two years):

• Streamline Asset databases to have a single source for each type of information, allowing ease in determining the correct data to use for an application.
• Improve department access to GIS and Asset Management information by continuing to automate and simplify access to information.
• Continue to monitor condition of City-owned assets and broaden scope of data to include all asset types.