The Wisconsin Land Information Program

Why am I talking about the WLIP today. President of the WLIA Past-Chair of the Wisconsin Land Information Officers in the State of Wisconsin Land Information Officer for Wood County Wisconsin for the past 10 years. Program that I am proud to be a part of.

Funding of the WLIP

What makes the WLIP Unique? Approach to Land records modernization was grass roots. No county left behind (base budget funding) Realization – early on that. Approach of grassroots

WLIP Accomplishments Statewide Soils Potential County Coordinate System All Wisconsin Counties have a Land Information Plan. Established a Land information Officer Position for each County. Annual funding source for local government Built a base of knowledgeable professionals that can mobilize and advocate for doing the right thing regarding GIS

WLIA- Wisconsin Land Information Association LION – Land Information Officers of Wisconsin. –Over 100 members representing all counties –Own website

Limitations of Program Program funding cannot even on a good year fund GIS activities for all levels of government. Grassroots Every State budget cycle we become political. We are vulnerable to legislative changes that in tough budget years could potentially wipe out funding.

What has the Program Accomplished? Wood County Example – Resourceful Program that is beneficial to the –Allowed us to build solid base data for the County. –Educational opportunities –Improve customer service to customers –Fund some substantial projects –Allows us to have an annual budget –Dispatch Mapping

What has the focus of the WLIP over time. Program not GIS based, but rather focused on modernizing land records. Data Creation. Building data layers. GIS Utilization and Distribution. –IMS Sites developed GIS Integration. Not optional with the technology we have. Public expect data integration. Reality… Coorporate limits can’t contain natural disasters, terrorist acts, or natural resource issues.

What does the future hold? Program will continue to provide funding for counties. Base budget funding. Possibility of recapturing a portion of funding that was diverted in early 2000’s. Allowing strategic initiative grants, more funding of base budgets, and contribution-based grants. Improved data sharing vertically and horizontally. More consoria-based projects Increased expectation for data sharing and collaboration and A strong dependance

Creation of Wisconsin Geographic Coordination Council. Replaces a governing board that we used to have in place

Why Grassroots can work. Local involvement and input = local buy in and products and services that meet local needs. Overtime a valuable local human resource base is developed Locals know their area – better quality base data, QA and QC, and aware of local issues. Have a sense of local priority

Grassroots Challenges Data standards Sharing data – consistant and usable Offering consistant products and services across the state