The City of Warsaw, Indiana, known as the “Lake City,” is embracing innovation to meet the demands of a growing population and aging infrastructure. Nestled among three scenic lakes, Warsaw offers both natural beauty and recreational opportunities that enhance quality of life for its nearly 16,000 residents. With over 240 lane miles, 66 miles of sidewalks, and a commitment to excellence, Warsaw is leveraging Novotx Elements XS and Esri® ArcGIS® to modernize public services and improve operational efficiency
“We’re a city of almost 16,000 residents, growing at about 8% a year,” says Dustin Dillon, Public Works Superintendent. “Some of our infrastructure is over a hundred years old, but we’re using technology to stay ahead.”
“What makes our system work is that it’s GIS-driven from the ground up,” Dillon explains. “Every asset—roads, sidewalks, storm drains, signs—is mapped and tied to real-time data in Elements. That means we’re not just tracking things—we’re planning, prioritizing, and acting based on location and condition.”
GIS Coordinator Mary Beaman adds, “We started with old grid maps from the ’70s. Now, everything’s digitized. GPS, field data, all mapped. Departments can access what they need—catch basin maintenance, permits, development plans—without asking for a printed map.”
Empowering Crews and Customer Service
Field crews and office staff now work from the same system. “Before they even leave the shop, they can pull up a work order, see the exact location, asset type, material, last maintenance date—even the size of the pipe,” says Dillon. “It’s all there on a tablet in the truck.”
Matt, a sanitation crew member, says, “I use Elements daily on the trash route. Instead of calling the office, I just input the info and they see it instantly. It makes life a whole lot easier.”
Terri Keim, Assistant to the Superintendent, adds, “We get 300 to 400 calls a month related to trash, debris, potholes. Elements is our first stop. We check if drivers logged an issue and can see live truck locations.”
“We get 300 to 400 calls a month related to trash, debris, potholes. Elements is our first stop. We check if drivers logged an issue and can see live truck locations.”
Terri Keim, Assistant to the Superintendent
Matt shares one example of how this helps residents: “Some elderly residents can’t bring their bins to the curb. With Elements, those addresses are marked, so we know to go up, pull the can down, dump it, and return it.”
Streamlining Permitting and Citizen Engagement
Permitting has also been transformed. “Permits are online now. You pick a parcel from the map, and everything’s tied to it,” says Beaman. “Engineers and planners see the same data. No more chasing each other down.”
Angela Lundy, Building Administrative Assistant, explains, “We use Elements as the number one tool to bridge ordinances and safety rules with the community. Citizens can apply for permits 24/7, pay online, and communicate directly with our office.”
“It takes less than four minutes to complete a permit,” she adds. “Contractors love it. They can upload documents, get responses quickly, and we can track everything from start to finish.”
GIS helps verify locations and prevent errors. “The GIS map helps us ensure permits are within city limits,” Lundy says. “It’s intuitive and prevents mistakes before they happen.”
Smarter Fleet Maintenance
Warsaw’s fleet team uses Elements to manage everything from fire trucks to lawnmowers. “Preventative maintenance is key,” says Shop Supervisor Damian Pass. “Work orders are triggered automatically through Elements.”
Vehicles are equipped with GeoTab trackers. “They tell us everything—seatbelt use, hard braking, mileage,” Pass explains. “I use that data to verify work orders and schedule service.”
The team has also customized Elements to track parts and service details. “We track oil types, filter inventory, serial numbers,” Pass says. “When a truck comes in, we know exactly what it needs. It even deducts parts from inventory automatically.”
Efficiency, Accountability, and Trust
“Elements is still a work in progress, but we’re just scratching the surface,” Dillon concludes. “It’s not just about tracking assets. It’s about planning, budgeting, reporting, and keeping everything in one place.”
“For our residents, it means their tax dollars are being used wisely. We’re accountable. We’re efficient. And we’re transparent.”
Warsaw’s story shows how cities of any size can use GIS and asset management to deliver smarter, more connected public services. With Novotx Elements XS and Esri ArcGIS, the City of Warsaw is building a stronger, more responsive community.
