After a very enlightening webinar earlier this week, I felt the topic was deserving of its own post here for the municipal folks.
Since we’re probably all in BAS mode this time of year, there’s actually another set of boundaries that you ought to take a look at.
If you wanna jump straight to the map:
The process is a lot simpler than the CBAS, thankfully. Look at their data, look at yours. If there’s a discrepancy, send an email to REV.GIS.Tech@illinois.gov, with supporting documentation if you have any.
Why don’t they just leverage the BAS we’re already doing? Just send IDOR a copy.
Regardless, like everything GIS in Illinois: Locals understand - and have to live with - the problems, ILGISA members can build the solutions (we could probably build a comprehensive, statewide, cooperative, shadow GIS) , but since it didn’t come out of Springfield it will never happen.
Oh man, don’t tempt me. I would totally be on board.
Great question, though! @katieswaner is re-using the BAS something the IDOR has considered? Updating boundaries with the Census requires a lot of the same information.
I think the issue is a matter of timing. Changes to sales tax rates are effective immediately upon the ordinance effective date, so getting that data into the tax system quickly makes everyone’s (related to taxing - not GIS, obviously) lives easier. The money is driving the process. And it can be a considerable amount of money, depending on what property is involved.
Maybe a twist on the concept of “Shadow IT”. Rather than wait around for the official version of a thing, just sort of going Batman on it and building it ourselves.
What would really stop a critical mass of users from just deciding to do something?
Updating municipal boundaries, for instance, is not hard in something like OpenStreetMap. You could apply the framework to PSAPs, addresses, response areas, etc.
If access were an issue, I know firsthand that operating a private OSM-like database costs under $100 / month. Get every city and county on board, you could literally fund the entire tech backend for $1 / year from each organization.