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County surveyor urges investment in GIS staffing after mapping mismatches and parcel errors
Summary
The county surveyor told the committee that parcel mapping errors persist because survey results are not being fully integrated into the GIS; he recommended in-house GIS capacity or budgeted contract work to keep parcel maps aligned with recorded surveys.
Todd Rumour, the county surveyor, told the Natural Resources Committee that mismatches between recorded surveys and the county's GIS parcel mapping have created disputes and mapping errors and that integrating certified survey maps into the GIS requires dedicated staffing or budgeted contractor time.
Rumour said he spends time filing and scanning surveys and often receives follow-up questions from register of deeds and GIS staff when a deed or survey description does not mathematically close. He described instances where county parcel lines shown in GIS did not match deed descriptions—for example, a deed calling for a boundary at the center of a creek while the GIS line appeared 50 feet east. "We got the GIS mapping corrected, and then I followed up with a letter to both owners saying GIS mapping was incorrect…" Rumour said.
He noted the state now offers optional review of certified survey maps (CSMs) for a fee that can catch closure and technical errors before deeds are recorded; Rumour said state review has reduced time spent correcting mistakes after recording. He recommended Richland County consider an in-house GIS specialist to integrate survey updates promptly rather than relying solely on contracted work that can lag.
Committee members asked about capabilities and the possibility of including a GIS position in the county budget; staff said a job description exists and the county's recent wage study may affect recruitment. Rumour and staff said MSA (the contract vendor) has been responsive, but the county needs capacity to import survey edits and keep parcel mapping current to reduce disputes and avoid costly affidavits of correction.
