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DBI reports 50% year-over-year revenue drop and steady code-enforcement activity
Summary
DBI financials show roughly a 50% year-over-year decline in revenues for the first five months of fiscal 2021, while code-enforcement teams reported thousands of inspections and dozens of enforcement actions; commissioners said the revenue drop is concerning.
Deputy Director Taras Madison told the Building Inspection Commission that DBI's November 2020 financial report (covering July'November 2020) shows a sharp year-over-year reduction in revenues.
Madison said the department was budgeted at $47 million and was projected to come in at about $49 million (a conservative budget posture), but that year-to-date revenue for the comparable period is roughly $16.2 million versus $33.2 million last year, a reduction of about 50%. She attributed the decline primarily to lower plan-check fees, building permit revenue, interest and electrical-permit receipts. Expenditures for the period were about $27 million, up from $25 million last year.
Chief Joe Duffy summarized code-enforcement activity: about 3,785 building inspections, 383 building complaints (roughly 370 responses within 24'72 hours), 240 housing inspections with 174 complaints and 136 timely responses, 43 NOVs issued, 49 cases sent to the director's hearing, and 10 orders of abatement. Duffy noted that inspectors are participating in COVID outreach with the Department of Public Health and the city administrator's office.
Commissioners characterized the revenue decline as "very concerning" and said they would watch monthly reports.
