In a recent demonstration of the new Advanced Web Map tools, San Miguel County showcased a user-friendly interface designed to enhance the mapping experience for residents and officials alike. The meeting, held on September 24, 2025, highlighted the innovative drawing and markup features that allow users to create detailed parcel drawings and custom annotations with ease.

As the presentation unfolded, attendees learned how to utilize the search and results panel to select parcels on the map. A simple click on a parcel initiates a series of actions, including the ability to add it to a drawing layer, automatically generating a polygon with a default yellow fill. This feature is particularly useful for visualizing property boundaries and planning developments.

The draw tab on the toolbar emerged as a central focus, offering a variety of tools for creating shapes, adding text, and editing existing drawings. Users can choose from points, lines, or polygons, and customize their styles to enhance visibility against the aerial photo base map. For instance, one participant demonstrated how to change a polygon's outline to cyan for better contrast, showcasing the flexibility of the tool.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of precision in drawing. With the snapping feature, users can align their drawings with existing layers, making it easier to create accurate representations of land features. This capability was illustrated through the creation of a polygon outlining the North Ball Field, demonstrating how intuitive the process can be.

Text addition was another key topic, with options to specify coordinates or select locations directly on the map. The ability to customize text styling, including font changes and background colors, allows users to create informative and visually appealing maps. Participants were encouraged to experiment with these features, ensuring their maps convey the necessary information effectively.

As the session concluded, the importance of saving and exporting projects was underscored. Users can save their work for future reference and export their drawings as GIS shapefiles, although text cannot be exported. This functionality is crucial for those involved in planning and development, as it allows for easy sharing and collaboration.

Overall, the introduction of the Advanced Web Map tools marks a significant step forward for San Miguel County, empowering residents and officials to engage more actively with their community's spatial data. As these tools become integrated into everyday use, they promise to enhance transparency and facilitate informed decision-making in local governance.