Current Page: Mission Statement

RICHLAND COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
STATEMENT OF MISSION, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES

DEPARTMENT: Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Operational definition of a Geographic Information System (GIS):

1. A computer-based database management system that links spatial features with their corresponding attributes.

2. A tool that integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic benefits offered by maps.

3. The five components of a GIS are: hardware, software, data, people and methods.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the GIS Department is to establish a foundation of geographic information to support community decision-making. The GIS program will provide the technological vision and leadership to deploy appropriate spatial technologies that will contribute towards an enriched community. Hereby, we will reinvent, reengineer, and streamline government wherever spatial technology can contribute towards increased efficiencies, increased effectiveness, and reduced costs.

GOALS:

• Build a framework of fundamental geographic data elements for use in a multi-participant community GIS.

• To coordinate all GIS activities and data concerning Richland County and to ensure that geographic information related services are delivered effectively and in a timely manner.

• Make geographic and related information available to citizens while protecting county investments in data development.

• To empower County employees and citizens by providing the appropriate tools for the retrieval and analysis of spatial data for use in answering practical, policy, and political questions.

• To foster data sharing partnerships with both governmental and private sector entities to facilitate the County's involvement in economic development, environmental conservation, public safety, land use and infrastructure initiatives.

OBJECTIVES:

• Assemble thematic data (elevation, land cover, soils, property boundaries, etc.) in a common geographic framework within a single data warehouse.

• Provide county departments with the data, tools, and training to leverage the county investment in a community GIS. This objective encourages departments to maintain geographic information within their thematic disciplines.

• Provide county geographic information to citizens via the Internet and the World Wide Web while protecting citizens' rights to privacy through the establishment of responsible data access policies. These policies will adhere to Federal and State laws and local ordinances with respect to data development and maintenance cost recovery.

• Facilitate information exchange between the county, its citizens, business and other organizations through the establishment of policies and technical standards for the submittal, collection, maintenance, and dissemination of geographical information.

• Formalize agreements between public and private partners for the exchange of data, methods, results, and policies impacting our community.