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DBI reports stronger revenue, staffing gaps and a September goal for new permit‑tracking system
Summary
Acting CFO Gail Revels said DBI expects to finish the year close to budget because charges for services are running well above projections; DBI forecasted about $4 million in salary/fringe savings from vacancies. IS Project Director Hema Nikanti said the new permit tracking system is in round‑two data conversion and aims for a September go‑live.
At the May 21 meeting the Department of Building Inspection reported stronger than expected revenue but ongoing staffing vacancies and an IT project timetable for a new permit‑tracking system.
Acting CFO Gail Revels said DBI was roughly 83% through the fiscal year and expected to spend closer to 100% on capital projects once ordered items arrive. She estimated about "$4,000,000 or so in savings in salaries and fringe" due to vacancies and said charges for services are running well above budget; "Charges for services, we're currently about 23 over, what we budgeted for the entire year," she said, adding she expected revenue to end up "closer to 26% or 27% over by the time we reach the end of the year."
Revels said the department is working to fill permit technician positions and higher‑level postings are in process. She outlined space‑planning options to free up desks to hire roughly 20 people to meet workload from seismic and legalization programs.
Hema Nikanti, IS Project Director, told commissioners the vendor is in round‑two data conversion and fixing identified errors; specialized user training is planned for August and the project is "still trending towards go live in September." Nikanti said SMEs are retesting bugs and that small‑group field training will follow.
Commissioners asked about timeframes to fill permanent director or finance positions; staff said final interviews have been completed and that background checks and fingerprinting remain before an announcement can be made, possibly next month but not guaranteed.
Next steps: DBI to continue recruitment, finalize budget requests tied to new programs, and proceed with the permit‑tracking project toward a September go‑live date.
