Adopted Budget (Final Document)

Planning (continued)

FY 2022-23 and 2023-24 Activity Goals  Continue to focus and refine efforts on community information regarding development projects and innovative methods of noticing (Community Outreach, Engagement, and Messaging; Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust)  Continue to improve and adapt functionality of TRAKiT for permit issuance – including online, processing, and web-based access (Supporting our Youth, Seniors and Entire Community; Fostering a Positive Organizational Culture; Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust)  Continue to advance work to streamline the housing application process as required by new housing laws (Advancing Regional Initiatives; Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust)  Update applications and forms to align with new state laws, particularly in relation to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access (Enhancing Diversity and Inclusiveness)  Continue to refine website for ease of use by the public (Supporting our Youth, Seniors and Entire Community; Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust)  Prepare new master agreements with consultants for applicant paid planning and environmental work to supplement staff resources (Fiscal Sustainability) Financial Comments Development processing activities are funded by the Development Services Fund (206), which receives development processing fees for service. These funds are accounted for separately from the General Fund. In January 2022, the City Council adopted a revised fee schedule to help ensure full cost recovery for planning and engineering services which were projected for revenue deficits in the next few years. These fees are based on average cost of service. Engineering and Building fees are generally keeping pace with costs, but Planning revenues continue to remain less than cost recovery due to the complexity of applications received and the amount of staff consultation required by applicants during FY 20-21 and 21-22. Select fees were adjusted effective January 1, 2020, to reflect the new application processes required by SB330. In order to maintain excellent customer service and help expedite the development entitlement process, the Planning Division will continue to make use of outside consultants to supplement existing in-house staff resources. The cost of these consultant services is fully borne by the development community that takes advantage of this service on a project by project basis, with no impact to City funds. Consistent with Council’s priority for community outreach, engagement, and messaging, Planning has continued to maintain the expanded advertising budget to conduct increased communication on development related projects, above and beyond what is legally required.

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