Planning Dept. changes; will affect service

SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT and PLANNING DEPARTMENT

County eliminates a senior planner and a permit coordinator position

Due to a continued downturn in new construction activity San Juan County’s Community Development and Planning Department (CD&P) will be reducing two additional staff positions. The employees affected are a Senior Planner and a Department Assistant. The positions were held by Shannon Fitzgerald and Maureen McNally.

Previous staff positions eliminated included a Building Inspector and two Permit Coordinators. April revenues for the department were down 32 percent from March and little improvement is expected in the coming months.

Because of the reduced volume of construction and permitting, CD&P Director Henrickson does not expect permit review and processing times to increase. "Adjusting to a changing economy is difficult for both the private and public sectors," Henrickson said, "We are making every effort to maintain our present level of service."

Henrickson noted that approximately 76% of the CD&P budget is funded by fee revenue and as that revenue declines corresponding staff reductions have to follow. PREVIOUS STORY

Building permit revenue in April down 32 percent compared to April 2008

posted 05/06/2009
San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department took in 32 percent less revenue from permits - $81,808 to $130,022 - in April compared to April of 2008. Staffing on the permit side of the department is funded by the revenue and not by the county current (general) fund.

2009 Permit Activity through April 30
month	2008	2009
Jan.	$90,172	$59,560
Feb.	$79,805	$55,963
March	$163,920	$101,099
April	$130,022	$81,808

Planning Dept. changes; will affect service

posted 04/17/2009
San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department will be reducing service hours due to reduced staff and budget cuts.

The changes will improve the plans examiner's, permit coordinator's and building inspector's efficiency and productivity, expedite the plan review process and improve customer service according to the department. The expectations of availability for the plans examiner, permit coordinators and building inspectors for phone contact, unscheduled front counter or office appointments and Orcas office staffing days are being modified.

Due to recent budget and staff cut backs; and in order to better allocate time, improve on the Plans Examiner's, Permit Coordinator's, and Building Inspector's efficiency and productivity, expedite the plan review process, and improve customer service; the expectations of availability for the Plans Examiner, Permit Coordinators, and Building Inspectors for phone contact, unscheduled front counter or office appointments, and Orcas Office staffing days are being modified.

Effective May 4, 2009, the following policies shall take effect:

While messages may be left on phone mail at any time, the Plans Examiner, Permit Coordinator, and Building Inspectors will not be required to immediately take or respond to incoming phone calls. They will however be expected to check their messages first thing in the morning, at mid-day, and again at the end of the day. They will also be expected to return messages that require a response within 24 to 48 hours, depending on urgency and work load. Request for permit application process and tracking; or for an Inspectors daily inspection schedule; are best directed to the front counter Department Assistants, and may not be responded to by either the Plans Examiner. Permit Coordinators, or Building Inspectors. The daily inspection schedules are generally not established until 8:30 in the morning and questions relative to the schedule should be delayed until after this time.
When available, the Plans Examiner and Permit Coordinator will be expected to be available for unscheduled walk-in appointments between 8:30 and 10:00 AM. They shall not be expected to accommodate unscheduled walk-in contacts at other times. It is always better to schedule an appointment to insure their availability and allow them the opportunity to become familiar with your project or issues; and thereby provide better service.

Due to the unpredictable nature of inspection schedules, availability of the Building Inspectors is less predicable. However, a Building Inspector is generally available between 8:00 to 8:30 AM and again after 3:00 PM at the Friday Harbor Office. A Building Inspector also generally travels to Orcas on a daily basis and may be available for a scheduled office appointment.
Orcas Island Office days for the Permit Coordinator will be modified and be scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Orcas Island Office days for the Plans Examiner will be established and be scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.

To contact CD&P to check on daily inspection schedule, talk to or leave a message for a Plans Examiner, Permit Coordinator, or Building Inspector, or to schedule an office appointment; please call 360.378.2354 or 360.378.2116.

When leaving a phone message please concisely and clearly state your name, the address and the name of the owner of the property in question, the permit or application number, the nature of the issue you wish to discuss, and a phone number at which you can be reached.

The above described Plans Examiner, Permit Coordinator, and Building Inspector availability and schedules may vary depending on vacations, sick days, or for other unforeseen circumstances.

editor@sanjuanislander.com

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