These services are comprised of varying technologies that work together - Geographic Information Systems (GIS), aerial and satellite remote sensing, and Global Positioning System (GPS).


Remote sensing is the science and art of obtaining information about features on the earth's surface without making any direct contact with the objects. As you read these words you are employing remote sensing. Your eyes are acting as sensors responding to the intensity of light reflected from the dark (text) and light (screen background) areas on the display. Your mental computer's interpretation allows you to recognize dark areas as a collection of letters forming words and sentences conveying information. The data remotely collected by aerial or satellite sensors provide valuable information - such as weather patterns, crop conditions, forest resources, new building activity, hazard impact areas, etc. - that could be used in GIS analysis.


Global Positioning System allows one to locate precise locations of points on a path by using a constellation of satellites orbiting the earth which have positions that are known at all times. These precise locations are used to correct map or aerial photo distortions, as well as to locate features such as manholes, fire hydrants or buried pipelines, etc.


Geographic Information Systems help to translate traditional paper maps of questionable accuracy to maps of an acceptable national accuracy standard using rectified satellite imagery or aerial photography derived from GPS surveys. These technologically generated maps hold information on true location and distribution of its features in space.


This "intelligent" map allows for accessing/extracting information based on the user's specifications and could generate a picture (map), a table, or a report.

For example:

The Road Department wants to build a road from Point A to Point B which will be 12 miles long. The decision-makers need to know the property owners within a fifty-foot strip along the route, and they want the answer to be divided into "developed properties" and "undeveloped properties".

The map and the accompanying information (stored in the computer from the deed or tax records) could give the Road Department an answer in the form of a map or a report. Additionally, it can categorize properties based on total assessed value, living area, sale value, and/or square footage value, etc., and prepare a summary report. This is a timesaving and cost-effective method for figuring the costs of acquiring the properties to build or expand a road along a given route.

Other common functions include E-911 addressing and response, utility management, redistricting, zoning, and land use.

David Bandi manages this program.

Networking and Telecommunications are two separate areas, and yet they share some common factors. A computer Network is two or more computers connected together for the purpose of sharing resources such as information, programs, and printers. A local area network (LAN) is a network that is installed for one office, one department, or one small building. A wide area network (WAN) is a network that connects two or more LANs together - usually in one office building or on one university campus. Additionally, for the descriptive purposes of this segment of our web site, the installation and maintenance of each piece of hardware (computer equipment) and software (computer applications) is being included here.

When the WAN connects LANs together that are across town, across the country, or even across the ocean from one another, then a transfer medium other than standard computer wire becomes necessary. Telecommunications is the term given to this 'long distance' communication between computers because of the widespread usage of lines leased from the telephone companies. While this is not the only option available, it is still widely used. It was the convenience and effectiveness of these individual, long-distance WANs that led to the advent of the Internet.

The GTPDD is currently in the process of providing the technical support that will ultimately result in the networking of our seven counties. Each of the participating government departments will have a LAN and each of the LANs will be connected together to create a county WAN. The Internet will provide the connection that will let the seven county WANs communicate with each other, as well as being able to communicate with the state's capital, Jackson, and with federal departments in D.C.

Additionally, the PDD is in the process of equipping several locations in our district with Videoconferencing capabilities. Videoconferencing is the ability to connect two or more locations anywhere in the world together so that each has the ability to send and receive live video and audio.


Tim Heard is in charge of all phases of Networking and Telecommunications for the PDD.

• Choctaw
• Clay
• Lowndes
• Noxubee
• Oktibbeha
• Webster
• Winston