The Argos Town Council members reviewed quotes for GIS software for the town’s utilities.
Utility Superintendent Jamie Lindstrom said the GIS system will allow his employees to be able to locate a water line, sewer line or electric line much easier by developing a GIS mapping system. It will create a database as well as an inventory assessment.
The least expensive option is a GIS Trimble unit for $7,000 with the service at about $8,900. Lindstrom said there will be an annual service cost of $1,100 and warranty updates of about $500. He noted that other quotes were in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, and if you canceled the contract with the company, that company took the information with them.
The council agreed to go with the least expensive option. They approved the quote with a unanimous vote. Lindstrom stressed that it may take up to two years to develop a complete inventory.
