Parcel Mapping Information
SPECIAL NOTICES:
The Office of Information and GIS Services is located in the Emergency Operations Center which is a secured facility, and is open by appointment only.
You can send questions or appointment requests to kjohnson@co.delaware.in.us or call 765-213-1269 during regular hours (8:30am-4pm) to speak with staff.
Basic printed Property Maps can still be obtained through the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission. Specific questions related to property/parcel boundaries should be addressed to the Auditor's Plat room at 765-747-7717.
GIS Parcel Database
The GIS Parcel database is one of hundreds of Delaware County's GIS data layers, but is probably one of the most important for local government functions. It allows government offices, citizens, realtors, and title companies to quickly and easily locate properties and owners. The database is linked to Delaware County's CAMA (computer aided mass appraisal) system, so users can access data associated to the parcel, such as owner, property and owner address, deed record and page, legal description, assessment information,building sketch and tax information, and much more.
Cadastral?
The parcel database is referred to as a "Cadastral" GIS layer. A cadastral map is a map showing political and surveyed boundaries as well as ownership of land. Our cadastral line layer shows parcel ownership lines, as well as original platted lot lines, subdivision lines, section lines, township lines, railroad and road right of way, water body lines, and misc lines.
Parcel Symbology
Parcel lines are color coded by line type for easy viewing. Labels are displayed for parcel number, lot number, dimensions, and many other items. The display scheme is designed to build upon the original paper plat maps so users who are comfortable viewing them will have no problems migrating to the digital version.
Parcels and Surveys
The GIS Parcel database IS NOT A LEGAL SURVEY! It is simply a graphic representation of property boundaries created to improve the efficiency of which land information is retrieved. If you feel the parcel boundaries for your property are incorrect, please contact the Office of Geographic Information to correct the issue. It should not be used for property line disputes. A licensed land surveyor is the only legal way of determining parcel boundaries. We can only change the location of parcel lines if a legal survey, legal description or deed is provided.
Availability and Use
Parcel maps are available to the public though the
Beacon online mapping service. It is available free of charge, and has the ability to search by address, parcel number, and owner name. Simple prints of properties can be created, both in html and pdf formats. All Delaware County and some City of Muncie offices that deal with land records have direct access to the GIS parcel database and use it on a daily basis.
History
The Delaware County GIS system was created over a decade ago for the sole purpose of creating a digital county-wide parcel layer. As the project progressed, more and more data was created to compliment and enhance parcel creation. As this additional map layers were created, other government offices and agencies began to see value in the GIS system, and wanted map and data products for their offices. Within 5 years, the GIS system had grown into a robust, county-wide database of over 100 data layers, and was being used for functions from community planning, economic development, and emergency management. Unfortunately, all of these additional requests and tasks did not help speed along the parcel creation project. Software and data format changes, dozens of interns and part time GIS technicians, and other issues plagued the parcel project. Finally in 2003, the decision was made to hire an outside company, that specialized in parcel projects to complete and convert the existing digital parcel database into the a new tag-line parcel data model. This powerful format allows for easier editing and maintenance, as well as a multi-layer approach that enhances the viewing and search ability of the database.
The Sidwell Company, of Chicago, Illinois delivered the parcel database in late 2006. The GIS office worked to bring the dataset up to date, as a dozen new subdivisions were built in the 3 years of the conversion project.
About GIS
How is GIS used in Delaware County?
This schematic shows how GIS is distributed and maintained throughout local government and how it is made
available to the public and private sectors.
Emergency Management/Public Safety
The GIS System plays a key role in Delaware County public safety. The Joint City-County 911 Dispatch has integrated the County GIS data into their dispatch software that helps locate every 911 call and allows the dispatcher to give detailed information about the area around the call. This has been essential in locating lost persons, routing emergency services to rural areas, assisting SWAT operations, and identifying adjacent hazards to large incidents like fires.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is located adjacent to the dispatch center. The GIS Coordinator serves as the Information and Logistics Chief. The EOC is fully GIS-enabled and is capable of displaying multiple maps, video feeds, and informational boards.
Emergency Management-related GIS data of various types is also created and maintained by the GIS Office. Data such as Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) locations are kept up to date in order to have an idea of where potential hazards lie within our community. Other data like community disaster shelters, critical infrastructure, and areas prone to natural disasters and maintained for planning purposes. In addition, all EMA staff has a mobile web-based map available to them at all times with important information such as critical infrastructure and other important mapping data that is useful during emergencies.
Planning
The Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission is one of the largest consumers of GIS services in Delaware County, and work very closely with the GIS Office. Several DMMPC staff members are highly skilled GIS users and create and maintain key GIS data for uses such as master planning, zoning, addressing, transportation, and other project-specific uses. GIS maps and data are used in every Board of Zoning Appeal case, as well as many Plan Commission Board meetings.
Community Projects and Organizations
The GIS Office provides GIS and technical support for various community projects, non-profit organizations, and community groups. Recent projects include: September 13th, 2008 White River clean-up map, United Way Senior study project asset maps, CEP project basemap, and White River Watershed Project cost-share project assistance.
Local Government Decision-Making
The GIS office provides maps and data to elected officials, boards, and commissions in order to better understand the issues and circumstances involved in making important decisions for their constituents. Maps and GIS analysis help provide a better common operating picture, reduce confusion and misinformation and help improve the efficiency of the decision-making process.
Land Records
The GIS Cadastral database contains information related to land records in Delaware County. Many offices, including the Assessor, Auditor, Engineer, Plan Commission, and Surveyor use this information on a daily basis. In the private sector, Realtors, title companies, private land surveyors, and the public can access this information though the InterMap online GIS service.
Economic Development
The Delaware County GIS Office supports the Delaware-Muncie Economic Development Alliance with many GIS services related to helping promote the City of Muncie and Delaware County to bring in new businesses and investments. The GIS office also provides general informational maps for the
Economic Development website showing the county's location in relation to regional economic markets, proximity to higher education institutions, and local transportation systems.
Community Development
The GIS dept provides technical assistance to the Muncie Community Development Office. GIS data highlighting project areas, vacant and abandoned buildings, and historical preservation areas are just a few of the maps and datasets that are compiled.
Emergency Management/Public Safety
The GIS System has come to play a key role in Delaware County public safety. The Joint City-County 911 Dispatch has a dedicated screen at each dispatch station that automatically displays the location of every 911 call and allows the dispatcher to give detailed information about the area around the call. This has been essential in locating lost persons, routing emergency services to rural areas, assisting SWAT operations, and identifying adjacent hazards to large incidents like fires.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is located adjacent to the dispatch center. The GIS Coordinator serves as EOC Operations Coordinator during disasters, training, and other emergencies. The EOC is fully GIS-enabled, and is capable of displaying multiple maps, video feeds, and informational boards from the WebEOC incident management system, which is administrated by the GIS Coordinator.
Emergency Management-related GIS data is also created and maintained by the GIS Office. Data such as Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) locations are kept up to date in order to have an idea of where potential hazards lie within our community. Other data like community disaster shelters, critical infrastructure, and areas prone to natural disasters and maintained for planning purposes.
Property Assessment
Aerial imagery plays a key role in making sure assessment for property taxing purposes is fair and accurate. Delaware County obtained new "oblique" aerial imagery in 2007, allowing 45-degree views of the community.
