Title
Approval of Additional Community Planning and Development Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) Position
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the addition of a GIS Specialist position and direct staff to prepare an appropriation ordinance for Council to consider at a future meeting, to fund the position through existing funds.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve one additional GIS Specialist position to meet development and customer service demands.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter:
None - Consent calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
Since 2015, Community Planning and Development (CP&D) has used a Permit Specialist to perform Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) data analysis and produce maps for a number of high-priority City projects, including Action Plan indicators, housing and homeless response, Missing Middle, parking strategy and management, economic development, neighborhood programs, and permit review. The level of staff work and public communication for these and other projects would not have been possible without this data analysis and mapping. This was possible due to the skills and training of an individual permit specialist, who has recently left the City for another opportunity. Prior to 2015, the City contracted with Thurston Regional Planning Council for GIS services of about $10,000/year for a much lower level of service than having in-house GIS expertise has provided.
Since 2015, CP&D has added three lines of business (economic development, housing/homeless response, and downtown programs). The additional work and public expectations for these programs has greatly increased the demand for GIS data analysis and mapping. Additionally, the introduction of new permit and parking services software featuring numerous online and location-based services increases ...
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