Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Imagery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clay County will buy countywide aerial imagery using riparian protection aid funds
Summary
The board approved a $133,020 purchase of countywide aerial imagery from EagleView, to be paid over three years from riparian protection aid funds and delivered through the Minnesota County Computer Cooperative.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 21 to purchase countywide aerial imagery from EagleView for $133,020, using riparian protection aid funds spread over three years.
Mark Sloan, GIS and communications, told the board the acquisition includes standard and oblique imagery for the entire county; oblique images are taken at a 45‑degree angle and allow staff to measure building heights and other features. Sloan said the imagery was competitively bid, EagleView was the lowest bidder at $133,020, and the county will pay $44,340 per year over three years. The imagery will be flown once and is expected to be refreshed every three years under the contract cycle.
Sloan said the riparian protection aid account held about $902,871.75 as of Dec. 31, 2024, and the county expects another $106,229 this year — leaving sufficient funds to cover the imagery purchase while continuing to grow the fund. He also said the Minnesota County Computer Cooperative will hold the master contract and Clay County will become a licensed user, which saved the county money compared with a standalone purchase.
Commissioner Bair moved to use riparian protection aid funds to pay for the EagleView imagery and Commissioner Ebinger seconded; the motion carried by voice vote. Commissioners noted the committee discussed a policy for data access and sharing and recommended developing a consistent access policy for staff and partners.
Sloan said imagery will be flown in 2025 and again on a three‑year cycle thereafter; the county also conducts separate metropolitan imagery in partnership with cities on a similar multi‑year schedule. He said the purchase supports planning, zoning and other departments’ work and could yield staff time savings across departments.
