County pays to fix digital map
Will spend $15,000 with Chicago firm to help correct errors
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
GALESBURG - The tax billing process is about two months behind schedule, but the Knox County Board voted Monday night to spend $15,000 to help speed up the process.Chief Deputy Assessor Chris Gray said the county is still in the first stages of preparing the tax bills and is about two months behind the ideal pace.
In July, several errors were found on the land use layer of a digital map the assessor's office is using for the first time this year. There were errors in the way land was classified for use. Since then Joyce Skinner, supervisor of assessments; Chris Gray, chief deputy assessor; and Chris Wood, Graphic Information System coordinator, have worked to correct the errors so township assessors' books can be printed. The books must be finished before board of review hearings can occur and the taxes can be calculated.
Randy KoBiella, a representative from Sidwell, a Chicago-based company that specializes in implementing GIS maps, told the County Board at Monday's meeting Sidwell would help finish the land use layer. Skinner, Gray and Wood would make changes on paper parcel maps and Sidwell employees could make changes on the digital maps. This would allow at least two more people to be working on the changes. Currently, only Gray and Wood are authorized to make digital changes because Skinner isn't licensed for it.
Eight of 20 townships have been fixed on the digital land use layer so far. Gray said there are two more being worked on now, with 10 to finish. She said it takes between five days and three weeks to complete a township depending on the number of changes.
KoBiella estimated the project would cost Knox County under $15,000. He said each township could be turned around within five to seven days, with more than one township being worked on at the same time.
"I think we have to do it," said Caroline Porter, D-District 1.
"I will do anything I can to help make sure bills go out on time," said Treasurer Robin Davis. "We hope with Sidwell getting involved it will add more individuals to the project so we can speed up."
The County Board also approved the budget for 2007. Davis said there would be $529,127 carryover county-wide, but the county needs to watch where it spends the extra money. She said it needs to keep a good cushion in case extra expenses come up.
Paul Stewart, D-District 2, was the only board member to vote against the budget.
"This budget does not include money for a county administrator," he said. "In view of that fact would be the reason I'd vote no."
