Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aerial Imagery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County officials highlight EagleView aerial imagery for 911, assessments; future flights need funding
Summary
Chair Gretchen Hancher told the committee EagleView imagery is live for county and municipal staff, is integrated into 911 dispatch and assessor workflows, and that the spring flight is about 95% complete; she said ARPA funds paid for recent flights but future imaging will require a new funding source.
Gretchen Hancher, chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, described EagleView aerial photography and tools now available to Allegany County staff, municipal officials and first responders.
“EagleView is a service that flies the county at a low altitude and takes aerial photography not only straight down, but at an angle,” Hancher said, adding that the software’s measurement tools and a change‑finder feature help assessors identify new or removed structures. She noted one of the biggest practical benefits: “It automatically loads up in the 911… so they can give better instructions to the fire or police or whoever’s responding.”
Hancher said the county has flown imagery in 2023 and early 2025 and that the spring 2026 flight is roughly 95% complete; the county used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay for the flights. She urged municipalities and staff to request logins and suggested staff can give a 15‑minute one‑on‑one demonstration of the platform.
Funding outlook: Hancher said the county will need to identify grant or county funding to sustain regular future flights (one to two years is typical). She recommended towns and villages consider budgeting for future flights or seeking grant support so the program remains available to assessors, emergency services and local governments.
Next steps: Staff will continue to provide access and demonstrations; municipal staff were encouraged to request logins and training.
