Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
What do the different icons mean?
How do I use the Reports and Queries?
Why do some parcels show $0.00 for Assessed Values?
What information is available in your office?
Where do I go for additional information?
How do I view the Map?
First, you must download the Autodesk MapGuide Viewer. Please click here to get the download from Autodesk. This site also has information about the system requirements needed to download the viewer. It is recommended that your screen resolution be set to 1024 X 768 for optimal viewing.
What is a layer?
A layer is an entity that is available to view on the map. Layers are like transparencies that can be stacked and viewed at one time, or viewed separately. Here is the list of layers that is displayed next to the map:
In order to see these entities displayed
on the map, you must click the arrow, 
and then click in the box next to the layer name you wish to turn on.
What do the different icons mean?
Select. Whether it be selecting layers to turn
on or off or using it to click on a parcel to bring up the tax information,
this is the tool that you use.
Pan. Moves the map around to display areas that are outside of the current view.
Zoom. Zooms in by a magnification factor of two
on the point that you click, or zoom in to the rectangular area you draw with
the mouse.
Zoom Out. Zooms out by a magnification factor of two from the point you click to display a larger area of the map.
Zoom Previous. Returns to the previous zoom magnification and location.
Unzoom. Zooms out to display the entire map.
How do I use the Reports and Queries
To use Reports: Click on the square next to Auto Report.
This will allow you to view the pull down menu.
Choose the report you are interested in and be sure that the appropriate layer is turned on (if you are choosing the Municipality Info report, the Municipality Information layer should be turned on). Then click on the entity you wish to have the report on (you must have the pointer arrow on the toolbar selected).
To use Queries: Click on the square next to Queries.
This will allow you to view the pull down menu (see image above in Reports). Choose the Query you are interested in and fill in the blanks according to what you would like to search for.
Then hit the "Generate Reports" button and a Report based upon your Query will be returned.
If you would like your report to open in a new window:
please click the check box next to this option.
For a brief summary of all available reports, please click here.
If there is an icon of a magnifying glass within your report, you can click on it and will "zoom" to the Parcel, Certified Survey Map or Subdivision that is listed.
REPORT ICONS:
Zooms directly to the feature listed in the report.
Brings you to this Frequently Asked Questions page.
You can reference
this page once inside of the GIS by clicking on the "Help" link
on the side menu.
Why do some parcels show $0.00 for Assessed Values?
The Parcel layer itself reflects the 2004 parcel splits; however, parcels that were new in 2004 have not yet been assessed for 2005. Therefore, there is no value to report and there will not be until November. All assessment values in the Parcel Info report are 2004 data. Tax data for 2005 will be available in 2006.
How do I Print a Report?
After you have generated your report, put your mouse in the report area at the top of the page and and click the "Print this Report" button.
How do I Print a Map?
On the menu bar, click the box next to "Print Map"
That will open it to show you the Print Map button, click on this button:
This will bring up a Page Setup box.
You can name your map whatever you choose, and it will print out as the title. You can choose whether or not to have a legend, north arrow, scale by selecting or de-selecting the check boxes. When you are done with this, you can click on "Print Setup" and choose the paper size and also choose whether you want landscape or portrait. When you have all your settings in place, click "ok" and the map on your screen will print.
What information is available in your office?
The County Surveyor's records are kept in our office. We have Certified Survey Maps, Plat of Survey Maps, Mortgage Inspections, and Section Corner Tie-Sheets. We also have WPA (Works Projects Administration) records and limited Highway Plans as well as hard copies of 1993 Orthophotography and digital 2001 orthophotography. The Tax Parcel maps that we produce are kept in the Treasurer's Office, although they are also housed on this website (See the Mapping Home Page). We now also house the Flood Plain Maps produced by FEMA.
Where do I go for additional information?
Tax Parcel Maps are located in the Treasurer's Office.
Topographical Maps are in the Planning & Zoning Department.
Zoning and Fire Sign Maps are also in the Planning & Zoning Department.
Soils information is available in the Land Conservation Department.
Older Aerial Photography (pre-1993) is available at the State Historical Society.
Orthophoto's of smaller areas than the 4-section photo's in our office are available in the Farm Services Agency.