An accurate inventory of sign locations is crucial for keeping roads safe for driving. Missing signs or faded signs can lead to motorists missing important warnings about road hazards.

In 2003, the city hired an intern to collect sign locations throughout the entire community. The sign information entered into an SQL database as posts represented as Arc/Info coverage points. A custom application was created to allow city staff to edit sign record information. In January 2009, the post points and sign records were migrated to a single ESRI SDE database. This allowed City staff the ability to edit post locations and sign records in an ESRI ArcView environment.

By allowing city staff to edit data, update work is added when completed in the field. Supervisors are able to query the database to plan and track sign replacement programs. Employees also select signs by area to create reports and maps for meetings.

By using a GIS to maintain a sign inventory, the city saves many man-hours that would otherwise be used to searching through paper files. They can also quickly produce maps and reports that are impossible with the mapping component of GIS.