City plans major staffing cuts amid development slowdown

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant adjustments to staffing and budget allocations within the Development Services Department (DSD) in response to fluctuating development activity. The department has seen a notable decrease in demand, prompting a reduction in positions for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. This strategic move aims to create a more agile workforce, utilizing a combination of temporary and contractual staff to better align with current needs.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing annual cost of service analysis, which informs the setting of fees for the upcoming fiscal year. A general fund transfer was also addressed, detailing allocations for city council-sponsored fee waivers, urban forestry programs, and telecommunications permitting, totaling approximately $8.7 million.

Council members raised concerns about the competitiveness of development fees compared to other major Texas cities, such as San Antonio and Houston. DSD officials acknowledged the lack of recent comparative analysis but committed to researching this matter to ensure fees remain aligned with service costs.

The conversation also touched on the department's historical challenges with staffing and backlogs during periods of increased demand. Officials emphasized the importance of maintaining a flexible workforce to adapt to changing volumes of work. They reported improvements in processing times for site plans, with average review times decreasing from around 100 days to approximately 32 days, nearing the department's goal of 28 days.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the introduction of ten new positions aimed at enhancing code inspection and compliance efforts, particularly in response to illegal dumping and repeat offenders. This initiative reflects a broader strategy to bolster enforcement capabilities within the department.

Overall, the discussions underscored the DSD's commitment to adapting to current economic conditions while preparing for future growth in development activity. The department aims to balance staffing levels and service efficiency to better serve the community's needs.