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Planning and Building reports SmartGov rollout progress and near-complete ARPA scanning project
Summary
Planning staff said permit turnaround times are down, online permitting is expanding via SmartGov, and a multi-year ARPA-funded document-scanning project is near completion.
Planning and Building staff reported to commissioners on Jan. 27 that the county’s SmartGov permitting platform and an ARPA-funded permit-scanning project are showing measurable progress toward improved permitting turnaround and digital access.
Staff said permit turnaround times averaged just under 40 days across 2024 and that online submittal volume is growing as more permit types go live. A small team will continue to implement SmartGov improvements and take additional permit types (including single-family residential) online in phases.
On records modernization, staff said two full-time workers funded by ARPA are digitizing required permit records and have moved into a dedicated workspace to scan backlog material. The project is planned to fully use the ARPA appropriation and staff are coordinating with accounting to keep the scanning work continuous as ARPA funds are spent down to avoid a mid-project stop.
Staff noted operational improvements in the permit assistance center, new cubicle furniture and interior updates to free workspace and move building and planning staff into more functional arrangements. Planning staff also announced an Allen UGA community meeting rescheduled for Feb. 27 and requested commission approval to issue a news release to publicize the date and location.
Commissioners were told there is no backup in the appointment system but four fully operational permit technicians have improved intake and that code-enforcement staffing and a new building-side code-enforcement hire are scheduled in early February.
