City Council approves ePlanSoft budget adjustments for software integration with BSA

The Linn County Board of Supervisors held a work session on April 21, 2025, focusing on updates regarding the integration of ePlanSoft with the county's existing online permitting software, BSA. The meeting began with a discussion on the transition from Blue Beam to ePlanSoft for digital plan reviews, which is expected to streamline processes and reduce errors.

The Planning and Development department presented a budget offer from the previous cycle that included a one-time implementation fee for ePlanSoft, which integrates directly with BSA. This integration is anticipated to enhance efficiency by allowing edits made in ePlanSoft to upload directly into BSA, thereby eliminating the need for manual transfers between systems.

During the discussion, it was noted that the initial budgeted amount for the implementation was approximately $20,000. However, BSA later indicated that additional training would be required, resulting in a proposed increase of $2,600 to the one-time fee. In response, ePlanSoft agreed to reduce their fee by the same amount, allowing the total cost to remain around $20,000.

The board members discussed the amendments to the contracts to reflect these changes in fees. The Planning and Development representative sought confirmation from the board to place the item on the consent agenda for the upcoming meeting. The board expressed agreement, ensuring that the adjustments would not require additional funding from the county.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the collaborative effort between BSA and ePlanSoft to maintain budgetary constraints while improving the county's permitting processes. The board's next steps will include formalizing the contract amendments in the upcoming consent agenda.