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County of Dona Ana, New Mexico

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Project Goal

For the past year, one of Dona Ana County's goals has been to increase awareness and use of the County's existing GIS.

Begun in the early '90s, the GIS has matured to a system that contains over 100 unique datasets (with over 175 total, including historical data), is available in many departments, and is customized to facilitate County business.

However, some County staff perceived it as a system that required specialized training to use. Others saw it as a mapping system - something the GIS Division used to produce hardcopy maps when requested.

In 2003, GIS Division staff set a goal for themselves to increase awareness and use of the system by showing coworkers that the system was designed for their use and convenience.

The Division adopted the policy of responding to map and data requests with "we'll be happy to [make a map, look up property ownership, etc.] for you," and then adding "and when you have a few minutes, we can show you how to [print a map, query the databases, etc.] at your desk so if we're not in the office, you can still get the information you need."

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Business Problem Solved

As the GIS is becoming "de-mystified", County staff like being able to retrieve information at their desktops, and print basic maps in their offices. GIS Division staff are always available to assist as needed, and continue to produce large format and specialized map products, but now other County departments have found that the GIS is a useful tool that assists them in seeking ways to improve customer service and increase the efficiency of their business processes - much beyond just the mapping and data retrieval applications they were familiar with.

The increased "hands on" use of the GIS has assisted GIS Division staff in focusing development efforts. As County personnel have become more familiar with the power of a mature GIS, they have requested different data be added, and suggested customizations and applications.

For the GIS Division, increased use has provided increased feedback needed for the system design. For other County departments, demystifying the system has provided a tool they can use in seeking ways to improve customer service and increase productivity.

Technology Implemented

The GIS Division uses a suite of ArcGIS products. The technologies used to deliver GIS into the hands of "non GIS" users are ArcView, ArcExplorer, and Mobile GIS (ArcPad on a Trimble GeoXT).

Customizations for ArcView allow for easy retrieval of frequently queried data.

Purchases of new software licenses are linked to budgetary considerations. ArcExplorer is used to introduce new users to GIS. This freely available GIS data viewer allows County departments to try GIS before committing to a software purchase (eliminating budgetary fears).

The County is also taking GIS into field work. The County just completed a demonstration project that modernized environmental code enforcement as it pertains to illegal dumping. Two County Code Enforcement Officers assisted GIS Division personnel in developing and executing the project.

The Officers made the project a success - and have been showing off their new technology to their coworkers.

Since the project's completion, three other departments have budgeted to expand their use of GIS into field work, and other departments have requested demonstrations of the technology.

For many agencies there can be a gap between GIS personnel who know the power of this amazing tool, and end users who may be hesitant to accept a technology that is perceived to be the purview of computer technicians. Dona Ana County used ArcView, ArcExplorer, and ArcPad (on a Trimble GeoXT) to bridge this gap - and show end users that one of the strengths of GIS is its ease of use.

Development Team Biography

Sally Baxter is the County's GIS Administrator. Her background is in geography, engineering and business. Prior to joining the County last year, she developed and implemented a successful GIS for the service and maintenance department of New Mexico State University.

Frank Dodd and Dennis Smith are the County's GIS Analysts. They have been with the County for about a decade each, and built most of the County's GIS. They both have strong backgrounds in geography and cartography, also from New Mexico State University, and both specialize in cartography. Frank has extensive programming experience in several languages, and is responsible for the customizations that have made the County's GIS (desktop and Mobile) so successful. Dennis has extensive experience in GPS, COGO and projection systems, and is the lead for utility and facilities management projects.

Jim Livingston, Jr., is a GIS Technician, and the County's Road Naming and Addressing Specialist. He studied architectural and computer aided drafting in New Mexico and Arizona. He administers the County's Road Naming and Addressing Ordinances, and specializes in customer service.