A Geographic Information System is a valuable technological tool.

For the City of Ripon, GIS analyzes and displays geographically referenced information, and is used by all departments on a daily basis, storing parcel ownership, parcel size, tax assessment, building sizes, zoning, utility info, to name a few.

This same system also stores information pertaining to the city’s water, sewer, and street light infrastructure.

Last month, the Ripon City Council inked an annual agreement with California CAD Solutions, Inc., with the City of Ripon receiving a grant to revamp and update the old GIS system. No discussion was needed at the Dec. 10 monthly session as elected leaders approved costs not to exceed $20,000, with the funding sources being split between the General Fund, Water Fund, and Sewer Fund.

According to Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart, the updated GIS system will require a yearly subscription with DashDIS, which is the software that powers the City’s GIS system.

“Additionally, there are monthly updates of assessor information from the County of San Joaquin regarding property ownership as well as ongoing improvements / enhancements to the system to assist staff in streamlining daily job duties,” he said in his staff report.

California CAD Solutions, Inc. is a Modesto-based firm specializing in Auto CAD and GIS services, and was the company selected to update the City of Ripon’s GIS system.

The yearly agreement with California CAD Solutions will cover the annual subscription, routine maintenance of the system, and various systems updates based on staff’s needs.