Making good on the promise he made at the Wisconsin Land Information Association annual conference in February, state Chief Information Officer Matt Miszewski has started the process to select a Geographic Information Officer for the state of Wisconsin. The position was announced to the public during mid-June, and the application period closed on Wednesday, July 6th.
Without a doubt, the GIO position is an exciting and important development for our state. I’ve seen the lengthy job description, and I joke that whoever takes on the position will need to report to work with his/her superhero cape. The person appointed will need widespread help and support from all of us around the state.
As with any personnel recruitment, it’s difficult for anyone to say how long the process will take, so there are no predictions as to when the GIO will be appointed. Stay tuned!
All good things come to an end
In other news this edition, Ted Koch looks back at the past 16 years of the Wisconsin Land Information Board (WLIB). As expected, the Board “sunsetted” (ceased to exist) effective July 1, 2005. All duties previously assigned to the WLIB will officially be transferred to the Department of Administration after the 2005-2007 biennial budget is signed. Established in 1989, the Board has led many important land records modernization efforts during its existence.
Conferences galore, WLIP budget uncertain
May and June seemed to be busy months for conferences and meetings. Many of you reading this traveled to Madison on May 17 for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure “Institution Building” meeting sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Administration. There was a definite buzz of renewed cooperation at the meeting, but where we go next is still a question.
I had the opportunity to travel up north to the WLIA regional meeting in Hayward, which had an amazing turnout. The main topics were addressing and wireless E-911, but the meeting was somewhat overshadowed by an announcement a few weeks earlier that the State’s Joint Committee on Finance proposes to lapse (transfer) nearly $4.9 million from the Wisconsin Land Information Program (WLIP) to the state’s general fund to offset debt. As I write this, the Governor is reviewing the state budget passed by the Senate and Assembly. Governor Doyle and his administration do not support the Joint Finance actions regarding the WLIP, so there is a glimmer of hope that he can address the situation through his veto powers.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to read the Bulletin, and as always, I welcome your comments and feedback: lacy@wisc.edu.