Subscription GIS could bring in $

A mapping system could create a new revenue stream for the county.
Randy Smith, 39 Degrees North senior associate, told Jay County Commissioners Monday morning that the company will begin offering a subscription option to its geographic information system (GIS) in 2015.
Commissioners also heard from Jay Emergency Medical Service director Pat Frazee about a contract between Jay County and Delaware County EMS.
The county isn’t obligated to use the subscription system, but Smith said it could bring in revenue from those seeking specific information.
“General users can get to all the basics,” said Smith, adding that it’s the information being used by those that profit, such as banks, realtors and title companies, which would be hidden to all but subscribers.
Three counties, including Grant, Clark and Floyd, have signed up to be the first to use the payment option.
Subscribers would be charged $15 per month or $100 per year.
Smith explained that the program is still in the beginning stages.
“We totally have no idea how successful it’s going to be,” said Smith. “It will either be a boondoggle or it won’t.”
With Jay County’s 53-percent increase in users from 2013 to 2014, as well as the amount of sessions on the site almost doubling in that period, Smith said it might be a nice revenue stream for the county if the idea catches on.
Smith told commissioners he’d stay in touch with them as the subscription-based service is implemented.
Commissioners also heard from JEMS director Pat Frazee about a contract Delaware County EMS is asking the county to sign in case help is needed on runs to IU Health Ball Memorial.
Under the contract, Jay County would be billed $200 per “intercept”, when Delaware County EMS is called to assist.
Jay County currently pays around $90, but Frazee explained that without the new contract, it would be billed $500 in the future.
“We’ve got to think of the patient,” said Frazee.
“The last time we intercepted with them, it was a save … she lived.”
With the budget issues JEMS has been dealing with lately — an allocation of $400,000 from the rainy day fund to help it stay balanced through the end of 2015 — Frazee said this is an example where Jay County isn’t the only one trying to find new areas of income.
“We’re trying to make money … and then other people are doing the same thing,” said Frazee.
Commissioners asked county attorney Bill Hinkle to review the contract before taking any action.
They also asked him to look into writing up a similar contract between JEMS and Albany’s EMS, as the county has helped with six Albany cases so far this year.