Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

82

Budget Impact: The Planning Department's main priority is to ensure that construction and renovations are completed in compliance with all applicable codes. The correct application of these codes makes sure that these projects will provide a safe environment for people to live and work in. The overall number of projects varies each year, but as building projects become more complex and larger, the time it takes to complete each inspection increases. Demands from the public for services provided by the Planning Department are increasing. This includes conversations about building a deck or fence to a new house or commercial operations. This also includes time to enforce the city's nuisance ordinance from tall grass, uncleaned snow from sidewalks or junk in a yard. The budget contained herein provides a status quo budget. Staffing levels will remain at two full-time employees with additional assistance hired in the summer months to monitor for tall grass and weeds. The Planning Department is the only department within the city that does not have a dedicated reserve fund for any future capital needs, such as new GPS equipment or plotters. Since these needs are not on a continual basis, it has been the city's policy to fund these projects as they arise out of other funds that are dedicated for capital projects.

Future Concerns:

In the coming two years, the department may see a complete change over in staff as employees will be eligible for retirement. Finding qualified individuals to fill these roles may be difficult given the wide array of knowledge that is needed to perform the job. Knowledge in plumbing, electrical and buildings code as well as zoning ordinances may be hard to find without the need for extensive training.

Percent of General Fund Expenditures (net transfers)

Employees

2

2

2

2

1

1

Actual 15/16 Actual 16/17 Budget 17/18 Budget 18/19

Planning Department 3%

Number of Employees (FTEs)

Part Time