LINCOLN - The Logan County Geographic Information System went online in mid-May, and now officials are trying to figure out how to use it to its fullest potential.

Creating a GIS coordinator position has been discussed, but planning officials and County Board members hope to incorporate other projects into the job description.

"We could look at developing an information technology department, which would have GIS underneath it," said County Board Chairman Terry Carlton. "We have the need for an IT department in our county."

GIS, which is rare in rural counties, allows the user to combine digital map layers representing various aspects of the county to create customized maps, said Bret Aukamp, Logan County engineer and chairman of the county's GIS committee. For example, the supervisor of assessments could combine a map layer of property parcels with a layer showing soil productivity to produce a better map for assessing farmland values.

"In short, it (the GIS) attaches the 'what' of a database with the 'where' of a map," he said. "Basically, you are able to click on any feature of a map and learn more about it. It can be a useful tool for everyone from the casual user to the highly trained professional."

The majority of the $100,000 project was funded through an $80,000 Illinois Department of Transportation grant. Most of that money was used for the aerial photography in 2005.

A document recording fee already collected by the county clerk's office will fund the program and pay a coordinator, if one is hired.