Fwd: MeGIS Budget

[Tora Johnson]

Dear Colleagues,

Below is an update on the MEGIS funding situation from Joe Young, the MEGIS director. Apparently, there has been an outpouring of concern expressed to legislators, and they are actively working on a solution. 

Tora

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tora Johnson, PhD
Director/ Associate Professor
GIS Service Center & Laboratory, Torrey 223
University of Maine at Machias
tjoh...@maine.edu / to...@svbetsy.com
(207) 255-1214

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Young, Joseph <Joseph...@maine.gov>
Date: Thu, Aug 3, 2017 at 9:13 AM
Subject: MeGIS Budget
To: GEOLIB...@lists.maine.edu

Good Morning All,

 

This is an attempt to clarify some confusion regarding MeGIS funding.

 

 

In the FY16 and 17 budget cycle MeGIS was funded by rates assessed on agencies using the MeGIS enterprise services. MeGIS rates were separate from other OIT rates.

 

In the FY18 and 19 budget proposed by the Governor, funding for MeGIS was included in a request for a general fund appropriation. Agencies were told not to budget for GIS services because of this change, and the intent was to avoid budgeting for GIS operations in two places, state agency rates and a general fund allotment.

 

In the final budget, the general fund appropriation request to cover GIS operations was rejected. This left MeGIS without a source of funding, because agencies had not budgeted for rates supporting MeGIS. The current balance in OIT funding does not include MeGIS operations. OIT is providing funding for MeGIS on a temporary basis until a solution to the funding issue can be solved.

 

I hope this helps in understanding our problem.

 

Fortunately, because of the outpouring of support from the GIS community, leadership has become more acutely aware of the critical need for GIS services and is working to find a solution. I have been assured that a solution will be found and MeGIS will continue to provide services.

 

Thank you for your support and please contact me if you have more questions.

 

Respectfully,

 

Joe

 

Joseph Young

Maine Office of GIS, Administrative Director

Maine Library of Geographic Information, Executive Director

SHS 145

51 Commerce Drive

Augusta, Maine 04333-0145

Voice: 207-624-9539

Cell: 207-624-2664

https://www1.maine.gov/megis/

https://www1.maine.gov/geolib/

 

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