Hagerstown outlines GIS modernization, open-data framework and public safety transparency plan

City staff presented a progress report on Hagerstown’s GIS program and plans to move geographic information from siloed department tools to a centralized, citywide operational system.

Lauren Reed introduced the briefing and turned it over to Riley Ealy, the city’s GIS coordinator, who said the program now emphasizes infrastructure modernization, data standards, integrations and public-facing applications. Ealy said the GIS committee includes 29 departmental representatives (engineering, public safety, utilities, DPED, communications, DHCD, IT) to improve coordination and reduce duplication.

Key near-term projects cited included a cloud conversion (to increase uptime and cybersecurity), software standardization, a GIS request-management system to track departmental needs, and partnerships with Esri and Rock Technologies to develop a long-term roadmap. Ealy also described a Public Safety Transparency Initiative to structure responsible sharing of public-safety information and an open-data framework aimed at consistent governance, licensing and privacy controls; he said he is coordinating draft framework elements with the city attorney and MPIA requirements.

Ealy highlighted accessibility and compliance work to meet ADA expectations for public-facing maps and said several operational initiatives—utility GIS master planning, static map conversion and expanded departmental support—are either underway or in phase one implementation.

Council members thanked the GIS team. Staff said existing budget lines include funding for two major initiatives (the cloud conversion and the public-safety effort) but that some projects will require continued funding and monitoring as the five-year capital and operating projections evolve.