The Information Network of Kansas (INK) is reaching out to local government and business leaders to form new partnerships to help make government more accessible to Kansans. INK was statutorily created in 1992 to assist state and local government agencies to collect, analyze, and disseminate data/information. INK was the first such organization created in the U.S. and is a model that other states have followed. Our mission is to enhance public access to government data and information. INK often does not charge fees for its services. INK contracts with KIC/Tyler Technologies as its system and support manager.
INK recently hired a new Executive Director, Murray McGee. Murray is a Certified Public Manager with over 20 years’ experience in local government. Most recently he served as the City Administrator in Moundridge, KS, and comes to INK with a collaborative “can do” attitude.
McGee is planning a series of meetings across the state to meet with local government staff, elected officials, business, and community leaders to discuss your needs for access to government data. He will also discuss INK’s grant program which was created to assist state and local governments acquire necessary software and hardware to develop program capabilities. For example, INK is funding a project with the Kansas Biological Survey to layer multi-agency and multi-format water data so that relationships may be observed for policy-making purposes.
INK is also currently funding the modernization of the state’s Amber Alert system as well as the development and implementation of a Dept. of Revenue program that will permit 105 counties and the Dept. to analyze property assessment data – while permitting counties to retain control of their data and allowing members of the public to view selected data.
INK provides a broad range of services to Kansas agencies and serves over half the Executive Branch agencies as well as over 400 local government entities. INK is the largest provider of payment processing to state and local agencies in the state of Kansas. INK has a broad range of capabilities that include transforming paper-based systems to online solutions, making government data more accessible to individuals and businesses, payment processing, as well as a broad range of other innovative solutions such as appointment scheduling, website development, and multi-agency collaborative projects.
Meetings have been scheduled for December 4th at 10 AM and 2 PM at the BriefSpace (219 W 10th St.) in Hays; December 5th at 10 AM; 2 PM and 6 PM at the Sundstrom Conference Center (102 N. Main St.) in Lindsborg; December 6th 10 AM; 2 PM and 6 PM at the Greater Wichita Partnership meeting room (505 E. Douglas) and December 8th at 10 AM and 2 PM at the Sunflower Foundation (Sunflower Board Room) 5820 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS.
Please let us know if you can attend. Contact INK Executive Director, Murray McGee at 785-296-2408 or e-mail murray.mcgee@ks.gov.