Like many government agencies, Town of Grand Chute was in the earliest stages of GIS deployment as recently as a few years ago. At that time, Grand Chute’s maps were either paper-based or CAD drawings that were not geo-referenced, limiting their usefulness and value in working with surveyors and engineers, as well as other internal departments. As a result, when Leno St. Juliana was initially hired, his primary responsibilities were that of traditional CAD operator/draftsmen. The first set of objectives established at that time evolved around getting accurate, up-to-date and geo-referenced maps in place.

With these objectives accomplished and the benefits of GIS technology recognized, Leno’s role evolved into his current, full time position as GIS specialist. Leno states, “In the latter part of 2006, we put 2007 goals and budgets in place to get our maps onto a website, initially for internal distribution. Once we had accomplished this, publishing a public site was the next goal”. Enlisting the assistance of Scott Hameister, of Appleton-based mPower Innovations, Town of Grand Chute was able to accomplish both of these primary objectives in 2007.

During that period of time, Leno started to hear and learn more about the Open Source version of MapGuide, Autodesk’s primary GIS platform. “I was curious about MapGuide Open Source and thought it might be a way for us to continue to improve our GIS solutions and, at the same time, utilize our budget dollars more effectively, given that it is open source software.” The main concern, however, was how difficult it might be to transition from the GIS platform technology they had in place. “Scott came over and, in two days, he trained me on MapGuide Open Source and we completely switched the internal and external sites over. It was a pretty painless process and I find that I need less technical support on the new platform. Another benefit is that our GIS system is faster and more responsive,” stated Leno.

As a result of these improvements, the agency is able to focus more of their time and financial resources on continuing to improve how their GIS system serves internal personnel, local engineering/surveying firms and the communities’ residents. Grand Chute’s building inspectors are also big users of the GIS site. The site saves them a great deal of time when issuing building permits, for example. It is now much easier and more efficient for them to check for potential concerns -wetlands, flood plains, utility easements, etc.

Town of Grand Chute maintains their water, sanitary and storm systems and they are in the process of getting GPS field locates for all of their utilities, which will create some real efficiencies for The Public Works department. “This will allow us to get everything located and up on the website, which will give our personnel easy access to the maps and data they need to do their jobs, versus having to go back to the office to look through the as built drawings, for example,” said Leno.

The GIS system has also helped Town of Grand Chute handle the rapid growth that has taken place during the last few years. Allen Davis, community development director, states, “With so much growth and re-development, accurate and efficient mapping is needed for proper plan reviews. Our GIS system also helps us in other areas, like reporting to DNR and DOT, asset inventory and police/fire applications.”

With new challenges and opportunities to utilize GIS technology sure to arise, Town of Grand Chute has implemented low-cost, sustainable and flexible solutions that will allow them to continue to effectively serve their community well into the future.