SWARK.Today is proud to focus its latest Service Spotlight on the behind-the-scenes innovators of the City of Hope’s GIS/IT Department. While citizens might not see them patrolling the streets or operating heavy machinery, the daily efforts of this two-man team are vital to keeping the entire city’s infrastructure, communication, and emergency services running smoothly.

The department is managed by Darrell Allen, GIS and Technology Coordinator, who has faithfully served the City of Hope for 27 years. Working alongside him in IT is System Administrator Mason McGahey, who specializes in the technology systems that keep the city secure and connected. Together, they manage a vast network of hardware, software, and communication systems that support every single city department, from public works to administration.

The "GIS" in this department name stands for Geographic Information System, which essentially translates to advanced computer mapping. Darrell uses this technology to keep digital track of critical infrastructure, such as sewer manholes, utility lines, city zoning, and subdivisions. Every few years, in partnership with Hempstead County and Hope Water & Light, he coordinates aerial photography flights to update the city's maps. Darrell also serves as the city’s Floodplain Administrator, ensuring that any new building projects within the city limits comply with flood safety regulations, and he even handles the essential task of ordering fuel for all city departments.

On the "IT" (Information Technology) side, the team is responsible for maintaining all city servers, networks, and the in-house phone systems. They also manage the live streams and official recordings for public meetings, including the Board of Directors, the Planning Commission, and the Tourism Commission.

A major focus of Mason’s role is supporting the Hope Police Department. By keeping their dispatch, 911, and record-keeping systems running quickly, he helps ensure officers can perform their duties with minimal delay. "It’s satisfying when things work," Mason says. "With the police department, any way I can make their tasks run more quickly and smoothly means more time they can be out on the street helping citizens."

Despite having a small staff, the GIS/IT Department is constantly looking for ways to innovate. Following a recent technology conference in San Antonio, Darrell and Mason began developing an internal AI-assisted search bot for the city's website. This tool, which Mason has spent many late nights building, is designed to help both city staff and local residents instantly search through city ordinances, HR policies, and municipal codes. It is just one example of how the department works to make city hall more accessible.

Reflecting on his decades of service, Darrell notes that the true reward of GIS and IT is helping other public servants do their jobs better. "I hope that what I do makes it easier for the other departments to do their jobs a little more efficiently," Darrell shares. "Ultimately, that helps us all serve the citizens of Hope."

Join SWARK.Today in saluting the dedicated duo of the City of Hope’s GIS/IT Department for their quiet dedication, technical expertise, and constant drive to move our city into the future. The next time you watch a live-streamed board meeting, use the city’s online services, or see a first responder quickly dispatched to an emergency, think of these two and the essential network they maintain.

City of Hope GIS/IT Department:

  - Darrell Allen – GIS & Technology Coordinator

  - Mason McGahey – System Administrator

Stay tuned for our next SWARK Service Spotlight to learn more about the dedicated public servants who keep our communities running every day.