Commissioners hear proposal on GIS flood predictor
Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

Kenny Tapp, a meteorologist who is working on his master's degree at the University of Oklahoma, came before the Commissioners at their March 13 meeting.

Tapp, a graduate of South Ripley High School, who is currently teaching at the University of Oklahoma, requested access to Ripley County GIS data obtained by airplane photography. He will use the information to measure and predict flood depth hazards. The flood database he wants to compile can ultimately show, for instance, which roads will flood after a certain amount of rain or what bridges will wash out.

Tapp explained that Ripley County is ahead of the curve in the field of layered GIS use. He would utilize the "safety layer" of Ripley County's 911 map with other existing socio/economic maps to create new floodplain maps. He explained to the Commissioners that the resolution of this aerial photography is one foot. In comparison, the weather radar maps currently used are at 30-foot resolution.

President of the Commissioners, Robert Reiners, asked Tapp if he would use the data for any profit for himself. Tapp responded that it would only profit him by allowing him to apply for more research grants. Tapp said, "It would be very good information for the county to have." He stated that the information he compiles will be available to the county in late May or early June. The Commissioners advised Tapp that they would make a decision in time for the next Commissioner's meeting on March 27.

In other business, Sheriff Bill Davison reported that the fire department should have keys to the courthouse in case of emergency. Keys would be in a locked box and only accessible to the fire chief and assistant chief. Judy Schebler, 911 Director, agreed that it would save a step because fire officials would not have to obtain a key from the 911 office before responding to an alarm.

The sheriff also stated that the department has four vehicles available for sale - three cars and one SUV. He asked for a date and time to auction them off.

Kelly Vollet, technology director, had a question regarding posting addresses and road names on the Internet. She stated that the addresses would not include any people's names and would simply be of informational nature for polling places and voter districts. The Commissioners voted and approved this use of the Geographic Information System.

Vollet also reported that she was contacted by the Department of Homeland Security. She was asked who should be sent IDEM Wellhead Protection information. Reiners asked that Vollet research the issue. Attorney Neil Comer stated that he believes it should be sent to the Emergency Management Agency. "It needs to be in the hands of someone who will be using it and understands its sensitivity," he stated.

Due to an increased number of calls for information from Spanish-speaking individuals, Ginger Brad ford, county clerk, asked if the county would send two to three county employees to Spanish classes at Ivy Tech. She reported that the 24-hour class costs $164 per person. The Commissioners approved the request.

The Commissioners signed a contract making the new American Legion Post in Sunman a polling place for the next five years.

All three commissioners, Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz and Lawrence Nickell, were in attendance at the meeting.

The next Commissioners' meeting will take place on Monday, March 27 at 8:00 a.m. at the Ripley County Annex Building in Versailles.