2020 City of Shakopee Budget

89

Budget Impact: Just think about all the items that inspectors look at every day to ensure the publics’ safety, whether it’s for a homeowner getting a water heater or a deck installed or a developer working for a major manufacturer. Inspectors are in the field whether it is a beautiful summer day or it’s twenty degrees and snowing. This past year, to address accessibility in even the worst conditions, inspectors were assigned retired all-wheel drive police vehicles to ensure that they can access construction sites. In 2019, the city added a full-time electrical inspector who will also ultimately be able to do combination inspections to save applicant's time for appointments. A full time inspector has allowed inspections to be scheduled five days a week and has allowed for faster reinspection timelines. The city went 100% paperless for plan reviews in 2019 along with appointing another Permit Coordinator to allow for a higher level of customer service. In 2020 the city is switching to a new electronic review program that will allow customers even better access to plans and change requirements while also allowing inspectors in the field to complete inspections electronically. Permit holders will have the ability to schedule inspections online. The new software will now have one portal for all permits including building, planning, engineering and licenses. The software will also allow payment by electronic checks, also known as ACH, saving the city additional credit card processing fees. The new system will allow for an even faster permit review since Coordinators will be able to check for complete applications prior to plans and submissions being circulated. Coordinators will be able to inform customers up front if certain items are incomplete or missing, saving valuable resubmission time.

EMPLOYEES

PERCENT OF GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

7.1

7.1

Building Inspections 4.4%

5.1

5.1

Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Budget 2019 Budget 2020

Number of Employees (FTEs)