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Matt Bowman admits that talking up a "geographic information system" doesn't necessarily prompt people to rush to their computers to peruse the latest search and information engine.

But Bowman, who serves as the Geographic Information Systems manager for Frederick, assures that the department's newest information technology project is the city's own personalized Google.

"Anything that the city deals with, all departments and the services that we provide tied to locations in the city," Bowman said. "That can be a city property, a sewer pipe, an assault that took place in a neighborhood. By tracking the [spatial locations] of that information, we can make better decisions about the things we do across the city."

Bowman presented to city leaders at their Feb. 24 workshop a way that they could do just that.

For two months, he has been tailoring a data-based mapping system called "SpiresStat," which will provide the numbers, dollars, graphs and maps in measuring the city's performance in all sectors.

Taglined, "The window to the city," the program will be designed as a check and balance of sorts, providing raw data on everything from permitting wait times to where staffing level isn't measuring up to service demand.

The new program, which covers virtually every city department, would also present dollars spent and trends of spending over time, most notably in its incorporation of a feature that allows the tracking of the progress of capital improvement projects.

"It's a new level of accountability for us," Bowman said. "To see what's out there, and where money is going."

As city officials prepare for a long budget planning season, Bowman's presentation came right on time, said Mayor Randy McClement (R).

"As with any budget, 50 percent of what you say is a guess," McClement said. "GIS allows you to track data to make projections based on true fact. And when we need to adjust ... it gives us the data to adjust in many ways."

Aldermen were also unanimous in giving Bowman the go-ahead to continue devoting his time to project. Bowman anticipates it will be ready to go live in the spring.

In the three years since the department's creation, Bowman and his team have created 10 "SpiresGIS" searchable data-based maps for use by city departments, six of which the public can access on the city's Web site to look up everything from their property plats to crime statistics.

The general map, launched three years ago, is the most popular and resident-friendly as it outlines the basics of property lines, zoning and school districts, Bowman said. It averages about a hit a minute from city staff and the public combined, Bowman said.

The map has come in handy for average residents in cases of property disputes to appealing assessments. Residents even turned to the Web site during snowstorms to determine their snow shoveling responsibilities.

The other maps, four of which are not public, are more departments-specific, he said.

"Everybody is using them, but it's kind of isolated by each department," Bowman said. "We want to bring that information together to better serve our residents."

Rick Weldon, executive assistant to the mayor, accompanied Bowman as he presented the new SpiresStat project to city leaders, asking for their support in the new endeavor.

Weldon said he saw the program used by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) during his time as a state legislator, and attested to the support in spending decisions the governor garnered when lawmakers were able to see the raw data to supplement the requests. The program originated in New York City Police Department.

Weldon said he believes the biggest asset of the program will be found in the level of transparency it will bring to the city and officials' decisions.

"The numbers don't lie, even when they tell you something you don't want them to," Weldon said. "It's no longer the way we've always done things. It's not based on gut instinct or emotion. It's hard to argue with data."

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.