Drafter
Clerk 04/26/2010
Title
A MOTION accepting the executive's report on the department of development and environmental services, and requesting an additional report regarding the department.
Body
WHEREAS, the 2010 Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 16717, as amended by Ordinance 16761, contains in Section 84 a Proviso P1 that reads, "Of this appropriation [to the department of development and environmental services ("DDES")], $1,500,000 in expenditures and fifteen full-time equivalent positions ["FTEs"] from the land use, building or fire marshal divisions shall not be expended or encumbered after June 1, 2010, unless a permit fee increase for the department of development and environmental services is enacted by ordinance before that date" ("the DDES budget proviso"), and
WHEREAS, in response to the DDES budget proviso the executive has provided a report and transmittal letter, which are Attachments A and B to this motion, that do not propose a fee increase for DDES services in order to make those services self-sustaining, but instead proposes several alternative strategies, including the following, as described by the executive in the executive's transmittal letter:
1. To keep DDES's hourly rate at the current level in the near term;
2. To begin work now to develop a proposal for increased use of fixed fees beginning in 2011;
3. To begin organizing a new unit within DDES to address permitting, development services, and land stewardship in the rural area;
4. To partner with cities to address permitting in the remaining urban unincorporated areas; and
5. To accept the reductions contemplated in the budget ordinance proviso, with the understanding that two of the 15 FTEs would remain because they would be working on grant-funded activities through the end of 2010, and
WHEREAS, the executive has subsequently informed the council that in lieu of retaining two of the 15 FTEs that are subject to the DDES budget proviso, the executive will be requesting, ...

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