2018 URISA Exemplary Systems in Government Award Recipients Announced

Since 1980, URISA's ESIG Awards have recognized extraordinary achievements in the use of geospatial information technology that have improved the delivery and quality of government services. The award competition is open to all public agencies at the federal, state/provincial, regional and local levels. Applications were submitted within Enterprise and Single Process System categories.

ENTERPRISE SYSTEM CATEGORY - Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of using information systems technology in a multi-department environment as part of an integrated process. These systems exemplify effective use of technology yielding widespread improvements in the process(es) and/or service(s) involved and/or cost savings to the organization.

This year, there are one exemplary and two distinguished system award winners in this category:

The 2018 Enterprise System Category Winner is The Assessor Portal submitted by the County of Los Angeles Office of the Assessor, Los Angeles, California.
System Summary: The Assessor Portal project is one of system modernization with a good dose of business transformation. Now freed from the burden of the ‘green screen’, the Assessor Portal enables LA County staff to access a rich array of property-related information from anywhere and have data-informed discussions with residents and all other client groups. Noteworthy were the strategies used to accommodate users through the change and leverage parallel digitization initiatives. Moreover, the design of the solution honored the intrinsic value of 35 years of assessment history. The Assessor Portal has positively impacted the organization and has set a great example for all undertaking business solution modernization initiatives. The value realized from The Assessor Portal is enterprise-wide and is deserving of the 2018 Enterprise Exemplary Systems in Government Award.

Distinguished Enterprise System: Growth Management and Development Dashboard
Submitted by: Carolynne Saxton, GIS Coordinator, Town of East Gwillimbury, Sharon, Ontario Canada

Distinguished Enterprise System: Mobile/Desktop Data Collection Initiative
Submitted by: Brian Arnold, GIS Coordinator, City of Dayton, Department of Water, Dayton, Ohio

SINGLE PROCESS SYSTEM CATEGORY - Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of applying information system technology to automate a specific SINGLE process or operation involving one department or sub-unit of an agency. The system application results in extended and/or improved government services that are more efficient and/or save money.

There are one exemplary and two distinguished system awards in this category:

The 2018 Single Process System Category Winner is Cook County Medical Examiner Maps and Data Portal submitted by Joel Inwood, Public Information Officer, Cook County Bureau of Technology, Chicago, Illinois.
System Summary: The Cook County Medical Examiner Maps and Data Portal is a modern business solution to support the regrettable modern social issue of drugs and guns. Inspired to make a positive difference, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office committed to putting data to work by making data available in multiple forms. In doing so, community agencies, and other stakeholders are better positioned to do their part towards a better future for the people of Cook County. Noteworthy is the commitment to transparency, the user experience, the modest development cycle, and resourcefulness of Cook County staff. For all of these reasons, the Cook County Medical Examiner Maps and Data Portal is deserving of the 2018 Single Process Exemplary Systems in Government Award.

Distinguished Single Process System: Landmark at Risk: Protecting the Historic Seaport of Annapolis, Maryland Story Map
Submitted by: Shawn Wampler, GISP, GIS Coordinator, City of Annapolis, Maryland

Distinguished Single Process System: NKYdroneLAB
Submitted by: Trisha W. Brush, GISP, Director of GIS Services, Kenton and Campbell Counties of Kentucky, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky

The accomplishments will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony at GIS-Pro & CalGIS 2018 in Palm Springs, California, October 9-12, 2018. The recognized systems in each category will be discussed in featured sessions during the conference. In addition, each system may be highlighted in an upcoming URISA webinar series.

To review the winning submissions for this year’s ESIG Awards, visit http://www.urisa.org/awards/exemplary-systems-in-government/.

For details about GIS-Pro & CalGIS 2018, visit www.gis-pro.org.