During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the Community Development Department's (CDD) budget for the upcoming year, which is projected at approximately $5.6 million. Of this amount, around $2.3 million, or 40%, is expected to be generated through permit fees. However, delays in revenue collection have been noted due to staff working reduced hours.

In an effort to address budget constraints, CDD has cut over $400,000 from its resources, including $92,000 from the Code Compliance Trust Fund. This fund, which has seen significant growth from $124,000 in 2019 to $350,000 today, has been crucial in supporting code compliance efforts, particularly in illegal cannabis enforcement across the county. The department emphasized the importance of maintaining this fund for future budget balancing, warning against its depletion.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the impact of staff furloughs on revenue projections. The CDD had initially budgeted conservatively, unaware of the furloughs that would affect staffing hours. Despite an increase in projected revenues by $124,000, officials acknowledged that the actual collection of fees may be delayed due to reduced staff availability.

The department is also currently conducting a fee study related to environmental health and is reviewing building and planning fees to ensure they align with operational needs. The discussions underscored the challenges faced by the CDD in managing its budget while continuing to provide essential services to the community.