DBI budget shows partial recovery; $1.65M increase in interdepartmental service costs noted

Deputy Director Taris Madison presented the Department of Building Inspection’s adopted two‑year budget and an August revenue snapshot.

Key figures: The adopted FY22 budget is $89.6 million and FY23 is $91.0 million. Projected new revenues for FY22 are $51.1 million, leaving approximately $38 million that must be covered to balance the special‑revenue budget. Madison noted a $300,000 general‑fund reimbursement for fee waivers tied to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) applications under an existing ordinance. She also detailed a $1.65 million increase in services from other departments primarily for permits, assessor‑recorder work orders and capital planning support.

Madison reported August revenue upticks compared with the same month last year ($9.0M in Aug. 2021 versus $6.4M in Aug. 2020) but said total revenue remains below pre‑pandemic levels (FY19 revenue was about $81M; FY20 dropped to $67M after COVID impacts). Expenditure changes included $400K more in professional services, roughly $600K in net add‑backs from the Board (for small business permit and housing inspection priorities), and reductions in fringe and overhead calculations.

Why it matters: Budget levels determine DBI staffing and capacity for inspections, permitting and outreach tied to reforms and ordinance implementation. Commissioners asked for clarification on work‑order allocations and whether increases are ongoing costs; Madison said the increases are loaded into both years and appear to persist into the near term.

Next steps: Madison will provide further details on add‑back allocations and continue monthly reporting as year‑end close completes.