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DBI proposes just-over-$70M budget amid revenue uptick; commission schedules second hearing
Summary
DBI presented a proposed budget request slightly over $70 million, citing revenues ~21% above budget and a projected $16 million boost this year; commissioners scheduled a special budget hearing Feb. 4 and asked staff to provide further detail on fee changes and facility planning.
The Department of Building Inspection presented its proposed budget for the next biennial cycle, requesting a little more than $70 million and outlining assumptions behind revenue and expense projections.
Acting CFO Gail Rauls told commissioners that charges for services were running about 21% higher than expected this year—largely due to increased plan-review activity—and that DBI expects roughly $16 million more in revenue for the current year. Staff cautioned that a pending fee study and a $15 million shift to a capital reserve in the approved base budget make forward projections uncertain, so the department proposed modest growth assumptions for next year.
On expenditures, DBI highlighted several drivers: a citywide change to a new credit-card processing platform will allocate merchant fees to departments (about a 2% fee), producing an estimated $600,000 hit to DBI; increases in materials, training and emergency supplies budgets; vehicle replacements (about 10 vehicles scheduled this year, including a mix of hybrid and two pure-electric vehicles); and a facilities master plan for 1660 Mission with placeholder funding of roughly $500,000 in the first year and $1 million in the second year to address an estimated ~30% space shortfall.
Staff also outlined personnel changes: rehiring after downturns brought staffing back above pre-recession levels; two additional building inspectors and two engineers were already in the approved budget, and DBI requested a net of four additional positions (after reallocations) for permit technicians, housing and inspection services, and management support.
Commissioners asked for clarifications on where code-enforcement outreach grants appear in the budget (identified as object 038 in the housing division) and for a breakdown of work orders (DBI cited total work orders of about $8.8 million). The commission confirmed a second required budget hearing and scheduled a special meeting on Feb. 4 to continue discussion.
The presentation also referenced on-going projects tied to the budget, including enhancements to the permit-project tracking system (PPTS) and a digitization contract to process microfilm records. The department said it will return with more detail after the fee study and as additional procurement items firm up.
