2006 URISA Exemplary Systems in Government Awards Announced

URISA's Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Awards recognize exceptional achievements in the application of information technology that have improved the delivery and quality of government services. During the 2006 awards process, nearly 40 submissions were received for the ESIG Review Committee's consideration. A special closing plenary session has been scheduled at URISA's 2006 Annual Conference in Vancouver, during which the ESIG Winners will present their winning systems. All ESIG winners and distinguished systems award recipients will also be formally recognized on Thursday morning, prior to the day's keynote address.

Single Process Winner

City of Dallas, Texas, POSSE Land Management System
The City of Dallas has developed a land management system that allows building inspectors to process permit applications and inspect construction activity and then enter their reports in the field in real time to provide immediate updates to the city's corporate database. In addition, contractors can inspect their permit status and plan comments via the Internet. Contractors can also request inspections and city offices can be notified in the field of new workflow events. The benefits of this system are major reductions in time and money for developers and contractors, and a greatly reduced need for traditional 'over the counter' dialogue between city officials and the public regarding what's happening with a particular project. Furthermore, the project has resulted in improved morale among building inspectors as they see the city invest in new technology to improve their jobs.

Enterprise Systems Winners

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority -- GeoSource
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority GeoSource system is exemplary for providing an intranet portal for interacting with all of the Tollway departments in a simple and efficient graphic manner. GeoSource allows Tollway staff to access and understand GIS information used in their daily decisions regarding construction, maintenance, right of way, permits, logistics, routing, management and incidents. The system has achieved easy access and update to data and intuitive user tools that provide widespread acceptance and adoption throughout the system.

Johnson County, Kan. -- myAIMS Web Portal
Johnson County,Kan., developed a Web site that serves a variety of data to users inside and outside of the county. The county developed the Web site that links GIS, tax records, in a relatively short time for the other applications using a much smaller budget. All of this was done with internal staff and technology only.

Washington, DC -- Regional Pawn Data Sharing System (RPDSS)
The RPDSS system not only helps prevent crimes by significantly increasing the chances that stolen goods may be found and returned, but it also links with a national database of stolen items using serial numbers which can lead to the arrest of repeat offenders.

Distinguished Systems

• City of Calgary, AB -- ePlans
• Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Penn. -- HumanServices.net
• Badger Army Ammunition Plant -- Geographic Information System
• Oakland County, Mich. -- E-Health Well & Septic Permitting System
• City of Calgary -- 311 Program
• Illinois Tollway -- Lane Closure Application
• Jefferson County, Colo. -- Hart Data Resolver Application
• Lucas County, Ohio -- GIS-Enabled Enterprise Content Management (ECM)
• Shelby County, Ala. -- Shelby Knowledge Suite
• Victoria, Australia -- Victorian Mapping and Address Service (VMAS)
• Warren County, Ohio -- Integrated Mapping System
• Washington County, Ore. -- Cadastral Ownership Registry (CORe)