A specialist from the Maryville-based Midland GIS Co. explains features of the new tri-county Geographic Information System Monday morning at the CMU Student and Community Center. Following several years of planning here, the technology now is ready for use by Howard County, in addition to Cooper and Moniteau Counties and a number of other entities within the area.

Howard County’s dream of implementing a computerized GIS program has come another step toward becoming a reality.

Geographic Information Systems, similar in some respects to Global Positioning Systems now used by many motorists, use satellite technology to pinpoint objects and topographical features with amazing accuracy.

“Many of Missouri’s larger counties have been operating with GIS programs for several years; however, the cost of the programs has been prohibitive for smaller counties and cities,” notes veteran HoCo Assessor George Frink. “A few years back, our staff began attending annual ‘GIS Conferences’.”

Later, the Howard County Commission, through the Mid Missouri Regional Planning Commission (RPC), began researching the possibility of multi-county programs.
Frink explains that the basis for any GIS program nonetheless is data from the assessor’s files

Through the combined efforts of Howard, Cooper and Moniteau Counties — and various entities within the counties — meetings were held to explore the possibility of a GIS system.

Howard County entities which have “partnered” in the effort are the cities of Armstrong, Fayette and New Franklin, in addition to the Armstrong, Glasgow and Howard County Fire Protection Districts. Also, the Howard County Ambulance District; the 911 office; the Glasgow, New Franklin and Fayette School Districts; Howard County Water District #1; and Trabue, Hansen & Hinshaw Surveying and Engineering Services.

Surdex Aerial Photography of St. Louis was hired and “flew the county” in March 2006. This was done at a cost of $21,000 and Frink notes that these expenses are being paid from his budget over a four-year period.

The remaining additional expenses have been percentaged-out to the “partners,” with each to have access to the final product.

In addition to many layers in the GIS mapping, there is parcel owner information, rights-of-way lines, school, road, political district boundaries and much more.

Midland GIS Co. from Maryville was chosen as the contractor to put together the program. After receiving the up-dated aerial photos from Surdex, the Midland staff began the task of digitizing and computerizing the information. “After more than two years, the ‘light may be visible at the end of the tunnel’,” said Susan Oser of the assessor’s office. She is serving as coordinator for the county-wide program.

Midland staff persons were in the assessor’s office three days last week training personnel on the new system. And on Monday of this week, Midland representatives demonstrated and explained the technology to the various partners. They also noted addition of an extra feature. Midland representatives told those present that the company has developed a web program which will be available for a nominal fee.

Parcel maps, area maps and county maps soon will be available, either through the assessor’s office and/or Midland GIS Co., Frink said.

The larger county maps, showing acreages and owner information, will be printed by Midland (with county permission) until the county can purchase a plotter large enough to handle the 36-inch-by-36-inch maps.

Lowell Eaton, Howard County presiding commissioner, has been instrumental in bringing the various entities together. “This comprehensive package has all the county bridges, tax information, school and other district lines — and hopefully will have many yet-unknown uses down the road for a long time to come,” he said.

Frink and Eaton, joined by Associate Commissioners Richard Conrow and Howard Black, —with other county officials — attended the instructional meeting, as did various others from participating entities.

Eaton noted appreciation to Central Methodist University for use of a large meeting room in the Student and Community Center.

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