FY18-19 and 19-20 RECOMMENDED OPERATING AND CIP BUDGET - FIN

Planning (continued)

and Cultivating Public Trust)

• Create By-laws and Ex Parte Communication Policy to aide smooth functioning of PC • Update applications and forms to align with new Zoning Ordinance (Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust) • Update website for ease of use by the public (Community Engagement and Messaging) • Continue the Planning Commission education and enrichment program started in 2017 (Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust) • Prepare new master agreements with consultants for applicant paid planning and environmental work to supplement staff resources (Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility) • Continue to implement recommendations from Zucker Report for increased division functionality (Preserving and Cultivating Public Trust) Financial Comments Development processing activities are funded by the Development Services Fund 206, from development processing fees that pay for service. These funds are sequestered separately from the General Fund. In November 2017, the City Council adopted a revised fee schedule to help ensure full cost recovery for building, planning, and engineering services which were projected for deficit collecting in the next few years. Engineering and Building fees are keeping pace with costs, but Planning revenues remained less than cost recovery. Implementation of fee adjustments will be complete by January 2019, adding balance to all fund revenues and expenditures. Evaluation of the impact of the fee increases will occur during mid-cycle budget review in July 2019. In order to maintain the excellent customer service and help expedite the development entitlement process, Planning division will continue to make use of outside consultants to supplement existing in-house staff resources. The cost of these consultant services are fully borne by the development community that takes advantage of this service on a project by project basis, with no impact to City funds.

The FY 18-20 increases funding for conferences and training by $10,000, in support of Planning Commission education and conference attendance.

240 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES