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Mount Vernon to reallocate funds for temporary building department clerical help amid hiring and OpenGov issues
Summary
The board approved reallocating funds to hire temporary clerical help in the Buildings Department while officials described difficulty hiring code enforcement officers and ongoing work to improve OpenGov application notifications and workflow.
The Board of Estimate and Contract on May 20 authorized a reallocation of funds from a code enforcement officer position to create a temporary health/clerical position in the Department of Buildings to handle increasing application volumes.
City officials said the municipality continues to recruit for permanent code enforcement officers but faces a limited applicant pool. A speaker identified the challenge as both a shortage of applicants and salary competitiveness; hiring and training new officers can take months. Officials said a temporary clerk will move applications and support permitting work while the city continues recruitment.
Members also discussed OpenGov, the city's permitting platform. Officials said OpenGov currently accepts uploads and issues email notices when applications, payments or uploads occur, but the city is examining plugins or customizations to improve automated alerts and add AI-driven guidance so applicants upload correct documents. Staff described work with state and county partners and potential integrations to reduce clerical workload; no additional budget for OpenGov customizations was approved at the meeting.
The board approved the personnel reallocation by roll call. The transcript records Comptroller Morton, Council President Brown and Mayor Patterson Howard voting "Aye." Officials said they will continue monitoring application volumes and the effect of the temporary hire on processing times.
