Interactive Maps Improve Public Access to Information
In Brief
Empowering Mat-Su Borough with GIS Innovation
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, (or Mat-Su Borough (MSB)), one of the fastest-growing counties in Alaska, wanted to make geographic and planning data more accessible to its citizens. As part of our two decade-long partnership with MSB, we worked collaboratively with MSB’s GIS team to achieve an impressive gallery of 35 interactive, online, public-facing maps and apps.
The apps provide tools for land use planning, infrastructure issue reporting, facility reservations, and more. These solutions have strengthened citizen’s decision-making processes, lessened administrative burden on the borough, and enhanced public engagement—garnering thousands of views across the apps since inception.
Key Takeaways
Interactive Mapping Apps Support a Growing Population
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Easy geographic information access for faster decisions
Mat-Su Borough transitioned from a file-based GIS approach to dynamic, interactive maps that improve decision-making for residents and officials alike.
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Automation for simplified government operations
Digital tools such as the Citizen Problem Reporter and Facility Reservations Map have automated manual processes for staff and citizens, saving time and resources.
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Online mapping tools for enhanced public engagement
More than 30 new mapping tools provide transparency, allowing the public to easily access critical data about land use, planning, recreational facilities, and more.
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Resilient GIS ecosystem for future-readiness
A strategic and well-structured approach to GIS management has equipped MSB with a powerful suite of GIS tools, ensuring they are ready to support their growing population.
Meet Our Client
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Mat-Su Borough or MSB) spans nearly the size of Ireland and serves over 250,000 residents, managing essential municipal services from planning to recreation. For two decades, Resource Data has helped MSB integrate systems, implement e-commerce solutions, enhance security, and even recover from a ransomware attack. Our partnership helps MSB remain technologically advanced, efficient, and resilient.
Challenges
Overcoming siloed systems for easier public access
Previously, MSB’s GIS data was siloed in a file-based GIS data management system. If a member of the public needed GIS data from MSB, they would need to submit a formal request and pick up the data from MSB headquarters—which could be an hours-long drive in the spacious borough.
MSB staff also needed to take time to gather and prepare the requested data for the requestor. Moving to a web-based GIS system via a set of online, interactive web maps allows the public to conveniently access MSB’s GIS data from their home computers. It also enables MSB to collaborate across their entire business, allowing even non-GIS borough staff the ability to access the data.
Solutions
A Comprehensive Approach to GIS Modernization
As part of their enterprise licensing agreement with Esri, MSB received an assessment to see how they could use location and GIS data to bring value to the business. Esri helped MSB identify a portfolio of around 90 potential web maps that could benefit the borough.
Resource Data supported the borough with initial planning and first steps for modernizing their GIS systems in order to start building the web maps. We helped them execute the scoping for their Enterprise environment, conduct data inventory and data planning to move their file-based GIS data to new Enterprise geodatabases, and install and configure their portal.
We also helped them decide which of the solutions to create through a decision-tree process—a scoping and design flow in which we collected information to feed certain selection criteria to determine on the requirements and product selection. Examples of criteria included determining whether spatial data for the map was already available and ready to use, identifying functional and business requirements, determining the strongest needs among the borough’s departments, and analyzing integrations or system dependencies for the target solution.
MSB’s in-house GIS development team executed the core builds for most of the apps, and Resource Data contributed project management, design, and GIS development services to support their team.
Planning and Land Use Viewer
Centralizing access to property regulations
Previously, navigating zoning and land-use regulations in the MSB was a difficult process. Property buyers and developers had to consult multiple sources, making it difficult to assess regulatory constraints, service areas, and environmental factors affecting property use.
MSB partnered with Resource Data to design an interactive ArcGIS Online-based tool consolidating zoning, service areas, and regulatory overlays. The map viewer displays critical factors such as zoning classifications, fire service areas, flood zones, school districts, wetlands, and city boundaries. Additionally, it links directly to borough codes and external regulations, simplifying compliance for homeowners, businesses, and developers.
Resource Data designed the application architecture, managed the project, and facilitated cross-department collaboration, while MSB’s GIS team developed the mapping component. The result is one of the borough’s most used GIS tools, with tens of thousands of accesses since launching.
Aerial Imagery Viewer
Making high-res aerial imagery publicly available
Maintaining up-to-date aerial imagery is critical for property assessment, environmental monitoring, and planning in the MSB. When a key staff member retired, a gap emerged in managing this essential program. Resource Data stepped in to oversee the borough’s imagery acquisition process, drafting RFPs, and managing the awarded vendor. We ensured high-resolution images were captured under optimal conditions—balancing snow coverage and vegetation growth—while implementing rigorous QA/QC processes to verify accuracy and correct issues like blurring or warping.
To enhance public access, we updated an interactive imagery viewer, allowing residents to compare land imagery from 1945 to the present using a swipe tool. The platform also enables the purchase of aerial imagery and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, supporting city planners, property owners, and environmental researchers. Since its release, the viewer has logged over 8,700 visits, cementing its role as a long-term municipal asset for informed decision-making and historical land analysis.
Facility Reservations Maps
Simplifying the reservations process
For Mat-Su Borough residents, reserving a community facility like a pavilion or campsite once required multiple steps, sometimes including in-person visits to Borough headquarters—a significant inconvenience in a region where travel times can reach three hours.
To overcome this challenge, the borough partnered with Resource Data to develop a digital reservation system integrated with GIS technology. This tool allows residents to visually explore locations and facilities on an interactive map before booking them. The map shows images and amenity details for pavilions, ball fields, and campsites. Once a resident selects a location, the app seamlessly transitions to an online reservation system.
By integrating GIS and e-commerce functionality, reserving public spaces is now much more accessible and convenient. The system has also reduced administrative workload and simplified facility management for the Borough.
Citizen Problem Reporter
Speeding up problem-reporting in the Borough
Harsh Mat-Su Borough winters bring heavy snow, icy roads, and ongoing maintenance challenges. Previously, residents had no centralized way to report issues like potholes, blocked roads, or abandoned vehicles, making it difficult for officials to track problems and coordinate repairs. To solve this, Resource Data supported Mat-Su Borough in its development of the Citizen Problem Reporter, a web-based system allowing residents to submit location-based reports on issues ranging from fallen trees to illegal dumping.
The system dynamically adjusts forms to capture relevant details. It integrates directly with the borough’s internal work order system, enabling faster response times to problems, and a public dashboard allows residents to track the status and timeline of reported issues. In addition, plowing updates and road conditions are also available through the reporter. Since its launch, the tool has logged 5,000+ views, improving communication between residents and the borough while enhancing service efficiency.
Public Lake Access Map
Making lake amenity information easier to access
Mat-Su Borough is dotted with numerous lakes, each offering unique recreation opportunities. Previously, residents and visitors lacked a centralized source for data on lake access points, amenities, and regulations. Additionally, borough staff needed a better way to track and manage maintenance issues. To solve this, Resource Data partnered with MSB’s GIS team to develop the Public Lake Access Map, an interactive, visually rich Experience Builder app providing details on the lake’s facilities, its recreational guidelines, and clear directions to each lake.
Users can navigate the lake map to find boat launches, parking, restrooms, and trash receptacles, as well as fish stocking data, lake management plans, and regulations for activities like boating, ATV access, and ice fishing. The map includes photos and filters. Borough staff can also use the tool to track and address maintenance needs. Since its launch, the map has improved lake accessibility and conservation efforts, serving as a vital resource for outdoor enthusiasts and borough planners alike.
Driveway Permit App
Simplifying the driveway permitting process
Previously, Mat-Su Borough citizens and staff relied on physical forms for driveway permits and inspections. Now, citizens can apply online, and staff in the field can enter site data via iPads, significantly accelerating approvals—one right-of-way inspector reported a 6-to-8-times speed increase. Staff can also use GIS tools to identify existing versus permitted driveways and notify those residents needing permits.
Resource Data supported MSB with this app by migrating the borough’s permit data to a new GIS-based model, creating spatial data, and developing a web app for multiple applications, including a field data app (Collector), a desktop entry app (Web AppBuilder), and a Workforce project for technician-to-inspector assignments. Finally, we built the public-facing component, configuring a secure GeoForm for permit submissions, and integrating with an online payment system. The new system streamlined permit management, made inspections faster, and enhanced public access to applications.
Results
A Sronger, More Connected Borough
Mat-Su Borough has transformed public access to geographic data, making land use, zoning, aerial imagery, and recreation information easily available through interactive maps. These tools have empowered residents, improved borough workflows, and strengthened public engagement by fostering transparency and collaboration.
By embracing GIS technology, Mat-Su Borough has been a nationwide leader in municipal GIS services, setting a new standard for community planning, infrastructure management, and environmental stewardship. These initiatives demonstrate the power of digital transformation, ensuring the borough can efficiently support its growing population and evolving needs.
What's Next
Building on a Foundation of Success
Mat-Su Borough continues to expand its GIS capabilities, focusing on long-range planning and infrastructure tracking. With Resource Data’s continued support, the borough is developing new tools to support data-driven decision-making and to leverage GIS to meet emerging challenges and serve its growing population effectively.
