The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors recognized Nov. 20 as “GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Day.” Board Chair Rosemarie Smallcombe presents a proclamation to Mariposa County GIS specialists Ethan Smith and Ben Ogren.
Judging by the enthusiasm of their colleagues, they may be two of the most valued people in Mariposa County government.
Ethan Smith and Ben Ogren are the map guys. Specifically, Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, which combines data bases with maps to link information, model the world and solve problems.
They have developed a new assortment of maps and overlays for the county — known as Public GIS Viewer 2.0 — that show everything from property lines and assessor maps, to historic sites and changing congressional maps.
In times of emergency, like a wildfire, they are providing precise maps of evacuation zones on deadline.
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said, “Their teamwork in a disaster saves lives, my hats off to them.”
As the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors recognized “GIS Day” on Nov. 18, Smith and Ogren earned praise from everyone from the assessors office to the agriculture commissioner.
Danielle Bondshu, Clerk of the Board, said their research is often used to tackle major problems in the county.
“The tools they’ve created are phenomenal,” Bondshu said.
Board Chair Rosemarie Smallcombe said, “What you do is a different type of art. You personify public commitment.”
They are also increasing the efficiency of local government by making data more available to the public.
Public GIS Viewer 2.0 has 40 different base maps and 14 different layers.
It allows people to look up their property address and pull up their APN (assessor parcel number) map, parcel information and zoning. No more trip to the assessors office.
Names are not included in the address or assessor maps because the California Public Records Act prohibits posting the home addresses and telephone numbers of public officials on the internet.
The maps are not perfect.
Supervisor Shannon Poe noted that one of the maps he pulled up shows a non-existent road going through his home.
Smith said many of the base maps are produced by third parties like Google and Bing.
“Areas where canopies are dense they do some guess work on the roads,” Smith said.
Smith also cautioned that parcel maps should not be used to make legal determinations on property lines. Property owners looking to resolve disputes over property lines should contact the Mariposa County Assessor’s Office.
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