1. Introduction to the Wisconsin Land Information Program and the Wisconsin Land Information Association WLIA Annual Conference March 1, 2000 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

2. Wisconsin Land Records The Story Begins... In 1848  Wisconsin records were patented; PLSS completed  Wisconsin became responsible for the collection and management of its land records

3. The emergence of the issue… The 1976 DOA-funded Larsen Study found the Annual Cost to Collect & Manage Wisconsin’s Land Records to be $78.6 million, with the greatest share of the activity and expenses occurring at the local government level State 15% $41m Federal 19% Utilities 14% $11.6m $10.7m $15.3m Local 52% (City, Village, Town, County)

4. The Larsen Study also identified seven significant problems related to land records: 4 Lack of accessibility 4 Not available comprehensively 4 Cannot be duplicated 4 Cannot be aggregated 4 Cannot be combined 4 Proprietary interests limit full public access 4 Institutional reluctance to share

5. In 1985, as a result of the Larsen Study, the Governor appointed the Land Records Committee to: 4Examine and address the immediate needs of state and local agencies regarding land records collection and management 4Develop recommendations on how Wisconsin should approach the long-term issues of land records modernization The Wisconsin Land Records Committee

6. Concept for a Multipurpose Land Information System: Integrating the Records of Individual Custodians Section 22, T8N, R9E, Town of Westport, Dane County, WI Data LayersResponsible Agency A. ParcelsSurveyor, Dane County Land Regulation and Records Dept. B. ZoningZoning Administrator, Dane County Land Regulation and Records Dept. C. FloodplainsZoning Administrator, Dane County Land Regulation and Records Dept. D. WetlandsWisconsin Department of Natural Resources E. Land CoverDane County Land Conservation Committee F. SoilsUSDA Soil Conservation Service G. Reference FrameworkPublic Land Survey System corners with geodetic coordinates H. Composite OverlayLayers integrated as needed, example shows parcels, soils and reference framework A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H.

7. A Vision for Wisconsin Land Records Emerges Statewide Coordination and Guidance Funding for Local Land Records Modernization Development of a Coordinated System of Independent Land Information Systems

8. Wisconsin Land Information Program Land Information Board Office Grants-in-Aid Program (WLIB) Land Information Producers and Users Governor/Legislature County Units (LIO) Land Information Association (WLIA) LRC Recommendation: Establish the WLIP as the means to reach this goal

9. WLIA Wisconsin Land Information Association A key component of the WLIP was the formation of an independent autonomous organization of land records professionals to promote and advocate for the WLIP

10. 15.03(b) WLIB Membership  State agencies………………………………...…...4  County and municipal government……..4  Public utilities and private business….4  State Cartographer…………………………..….1  DOR (1998)……………………………………………..1  WLIA (1998)…………………………………………..1 WLIP Established 15.105 (16)

11. 16.967 WLIB Duties 4Provide technical assistance to state and local agencies 4Direct and supervise the WLIP and serve as the state clearinghouse for access to land information 4Maintain an inventory of land information 4Prepare guidelines to coordinate modernization 4Review grant applications 4Review state agency land integration plans 4Report on possible additional revenue sources

12. 16.967 (7) County Duties nEstablish a land information office (LIO) nThe LIO shall: 4Coordinate land information projects 4Prepare and maintain a plan for land records modernization 4Review and recommend projects (grants) for local governments

13. 16.967 (7) Aid to Counties (Use of Fees & Grants) 4Property and ownership records, including boundary information 4A parcel ID and tax assessments 4Soil surveys 4Wetlands 4Modern geographic reference system 4Zoning restrictions (1) Implement a land information system that, at a minimum, contains:

14. WLIP Foundational Elements (original) * Geographic reference frameworks: Geodetic reference systems PLSS corner remonumentation and coordinates Geographic data (basemaps, orthophotos, etc.) * Parcels * Wetlands mapping * Soils Mapping * Zoning mapping * Institutional arrangements * Communications, education, training * Public access

15. Funded by a $6 increase in document recording fees… $4 stays with the local government for local land information modernization activities (WLIP retained fees) $2 goes to WLIB for operational expenses and re-distribution to local governments through grants-in-aid for local land information modernization activities (WLIP grant dollars) WLIP Funding

16. Expenditures: 1989-1998 Retained Fees ($4)…………………………...$34,914,692 Grants and Board Expenses ($2)…..$18,395,528 (about 7%) $53,310,220 $10.36 per capita (5,142,999 people) $ 1.49 per acre (35.7 million acres) $17.00 per parcel (3,136,719 parcels) Summary of WLIP Expenditures

17. WLIP Funding by County 1991-1998

18. WLIP Economic Contribution 4Using the inflation rate calculated from the annual Consumer Price Index, and no new additional tasks, local government spending from 1991 through 1998 was an estimated $857 million for land records collection, use and management 4Since 1991, the WLIP has generated $53 million (or about 6% of the above $857 million) to help modernize local land record systems in Wisconsin

19. WLIP Economic Impact & Benefits 4 For every WLIP dollar, another dollar has been matched from another source in some form 4A variety of local governments participate in the grant process ranging from citiesand villages to regional planning commissions, tribal governments and others 4 At least 10 new companies and 75 new jobs have been established 4 “Lost” taxable parcels are discovered in Waukesha county 4Time needed to choose new landfill site in Portage County reduced by 90%

20. Reduced Title Insurance Costs in Dane County  Benefits Summary 4 Money: $300 savings per transaction saves Dane County landowners $6 million annually. 4 Space: Digital record-keeping results in expanded public-access office area,while total office space was cut by 25%. Document-storage space alone was reduced by over 90%. 4 Staff: Modernization means that 17 full-time staff are performing duties that would require 27 full-time positions to manage record-keeping the old way.

21. Improved Floodplain Mapping in Winnebago County  Benefits Summary 4 Money: Annual insurance savings of $300-$500 for approximately 1,100 households. There is also a reduced burden on emergency and disaster- relief funds. 4 Home values: Home values have increased by more than $1 million for affected homes. 4 Staff: Two-foot contour maps have led to more accurately determined flood-prone areas and flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) (the old FIRMs relied on 10-foot contours).

22. 4 A diverse land records community emerged 4 The Wisconsin Land Information Program (WLIP) helped initiate modernization in Wisconsin 4 Mega amounts of human energy were unleashed 4 All 72 counties prepared modernization plans 4 Cross-county and cross-governmental consortiums were created 4 Wisconsin became the national envy of the land information community WLIP Social Impact

23. In 1987, the Wisconsin Land Information Association (WLIA) was formed to advocate for the establishment and funding of the WLIP

24. WLI-? Relationship of WLIB, WLIP, & WLIA... Wisconsin Land Information Program The Program is that collection of people, organizations, and activities involved in modernizing and managing Wisconsin’s land information and land information systems, including: WLIB, WLIA, government agencies at all levels, academia, private firms and businesses, and professional and non-profit organizations Wisconsin Land Information Board Program Governance Wisconsin Land Information Association Program Advocacy and Professional (Technical and Policy) Support

25. Wisconsin Land Information Association Nearly 600 members representing the wide variety of professions active in Wisconsin land records modernization PlannersZoning Administrators Land ConservationistsAssessors ForestersPhotogrammetrists EngineersCartographers SurveyorsSystems Analysts Title ExaminersConsultants Registers of DeedsEducators Real Property ListersStudents

26. Wisconsin Land Information Association ….advocacy, leadership, and support of Wisconsin land records modernization... Policy and Program Advocacy To actively promote modern land information and systems development. To provide a unified professional voice on land information issues. To represent the voice of the Wisconsin land information community. To participate in WLIP strategic planning and program management. To review and respond to legislative actions. Liaison and Networking To promote interaction among WLIA members, other professional associations, and public and private sector groups. Technical Expertise and Research To investigate and resolve land information issues. To develop standards and guidelines that support the WLIP. To provide a forum for examining new ideas and methods. To provide resources for research and evaluation of land information development, implementation, and maintenance. Education and Public Relations To develop, and help others develop, a variety of educational programs and materials related to land information and land information systems. To promote public understanding of WLIA, its members and its activities through a variety of media.

27. WLIA Gatherings …provide opportunities to exchange ideas, learn new skills, participate in discussions, and expand professional networks... Annual Conference ( over 500 attendees) Pre-conference workshops Technical sessions and presentations Technology and applications demonstrations Vendor exhibits Poster session Public Night (free and open to general public) WLIP Town Forum WLIA Business Meeting Quarterly Meetings ( typically 50-80 attendees) Public Night featuring local activities Educational program on WLIP technical and policy issues WLIA Business Meeting Ongoing Activities Program advocacy and professional support Communication about Wisconsin land information activities Task Forces investigating technical issues Development of WLIP standards and guidelines

28. WLIA Membership 1998 575 members Regional Planning 2% (13) County 41% (215) Municipality 7.3% (city 32, village 4, town 0) University 8.5% (faculty 17, student 28 ) State 14.7% (77) Business GIS Provider 17.5% (92) Business GIS User 4.4% (23) Federal Govt. 2% (12) Tribal 2% (10)

29. Better Land Records NOW! WLIA Policy Objectives 4To actively promote modern land information development; 4To provide a unified professional voice on land information issues; 4To provide advice on land information issues to public and private decision makers; 4To promote positive legislative actions regarding land information issues; 4To promote land information activities that benefit the citizens of Wisconsin.

30. Add WLIA Guiding Principles Poster Here

31. Wisconsin Challenges Needing Our Attention 4Protect the independence, authority & role of the WLIB and WLIP 4Protect WLIP funding 4Increase technical assistance for local governments 4Develop and implement modern standards 4Improve public and agency data access/sharing 4Increase statewide data integration Into the FUTURE

32. Increased National Opportunities Into the FUTURE 4Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes new national/local floodplain mapping program 4National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) proposes new desktop GIS program for all rural U.S. counties 4Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) proposes new federal/local partnerships to help build the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

33. The WLIP is YOUR Program! Be active and involved… WLIA 1-800-344-0421 www.wlia.org WLIB 608-267-2707 www.badger.state.wi.us/agencies/wlib