Community Development asks to extend building inspector, fund STR data service and keep dark‑sky match

Community Development Director Jay (last name not transcribed) presented the department’s FY 2026 budget increments and workload to the Board of Supervisors on May 15, saying permitting volume is up and revenue is roughly breaking even with operating costs.

Jay described operational requests in the manager’s recommendation: extend a limited‑term building inspector for one year through June 30, 2026, reclassify and retain building inspectors to reduce turnover, and continue a $3,000 county match for a dark‑sky specialist shared with the City of Flagstaff. Jay thanked the manager’s office for a 2.5% pay recommendation and for CPI funds that help vehicle maintenance and other operating costs.

On short‑term rentals (STRs), the department requested an AI‑driven data‑services subscription at about $60,000 to detect unpermitted STR listings across platforms and alert staff; Jay said the tool has helped the department achieve high compliance rates (mid‑90s) and keeps a dedicated STR code officer busy. Jay told supervisors the county now estimates roughly 1,000 STRs and roughly $250,000 in permit fee revenue from STR permits ($250 permit fee × ~1,000 permits).

Jay reviewed permit workload data: 4,911 permits through the end of the second quarter and a projected 3.1 million dollars in program revenue for FY 2025 (operating budget roughly $3.3 million). He also noted abatement carryover funds (about $60,000 remaining from an earlier $100,000 request) used sparingly to secure structures and support hearings.

The board requested follow‑up on recruitment and staffing plans for hard‑to‑fill technical positions and on how code enforcement and abatement funds are being used. No formal action was taken at the hearing; manager recommendations were captured for inclusion in the FY 2026 balanced budget.