Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system for managing, sharing and utilizing geographically referenced information.
More than 75% of all local government data has a geographic reference. Some examples are: land parcels, survey control points, road improvement and traffic data, public facilities and improvements, utilities, drainage features, political boundaries, planning and zoning designations, police and fire service areas, economic and demographic data, environmental conditions, land development projects and business locations, and street address information.
These features are kept in data "layers" and can be linked to information in public agency and department databases. This makes it possible to provide convenient access to public information and services from a personal computer (PC).
Some information about businesses, individuals, or public health and safety services is protected from disclosure by state law or by contractual agreement. Protected information will not be distributed.