Old GIS mapping system changed out due to new provider

​YORK – The York County Commissioners have agreed with York County Assessor Kurt Bulgrin to discontinue a contract for GIS mapping services with SAM in order to go with VanGuard which is already providing other services for the county.
“The assessor brought this to us a few weeks ago, as he wants to go with VanGuard for GIS mapping and cancel the SAM contract which has been used a few years,” said York County Commissioner Chairman Daniel Grotz.
This change will save the county several thousand dollars a year.
The VanGuard service, however, does not include the mapping of road assets. Grotz said road assets are already mapped by the roads department through different software – they do the same thing, but that software is not available for public consumption.
“The public will continue to have GIS access through VanGuard, they just won’t have road asset information, but I’m not sure anyone uses that anyway,” Grotz said. “And if someone needs that type of information, they can contact the roads department directly.”
“The VanGuard imagery, meanwhile, is a lot clearer and works a lot more smoothly,” Commissioner Randy Obermier said.
“I have used the VanGuard system through the process of doing valuation protests, looking up parcels, etc., and I have really enjoyed using it,” Grotz said.
Commissioner Andy Bowman said he’s aware how sometimes getting used to using new technology can be challenging and frustrating, “but this VanGuard system works well.”
All the commissioners agreed to discontinue the SAM contract.