Local governments deliver services and decide policies while managing an information glut with ever-tightening budgets. To meet this daunting challenge, local governments increasingly turn to geographic information systems (GIS) technology to coordinate resources, save tax dollars, and plan for the future.

In The GIS Guide for Local Government Officials, municipal GIS experts suggest practical approaches for incorporating this powerful mapping technology into a city or county, no matter what size. Case studies drawn from throughout North America illustrate how officials have successfully applied GIS to their specific needs, from monitoring storm drains in Hawaii to fixing potholes in Canada.

The editor has compiled the observations of six contributing authors, all with extensive experience in local government management and GIS operations. Other government officials describe in their own words how GIS has become an indispensable tool that enhances communication and promotes efficient management.