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DBI reports rising permit valuations, PTS progress and Qmatic delay amid union talks
Summary
DBI reported year‑to‑date increases in permit valuation, progress on the permit‑tracking system with stage‑2 analysis completing in April, and a delayed Qmatic rollout while staff meet with unions; staff also described server consolidation in a 'Mission Corridor' and a new cash management system.
Department of Building Inspection staff briefed the commission on finances, pending legislation and multiple technology projects at the Dec. 31 special meeting.
Finance: Director Pamela Levin said DBI’s revenues show a marked increase in permit valuation — roughly 40–43 percent year‑over‑year for issued permits — and noted personnel and non‑personal services spending trends. The department reported being about 42 percent of the way through the fiscal year while salary expenditures were at about 34 percent; DBI said it has several clerical requisitions pending with the mayor's office and human resources.
Permit‑tracking system: Penny Venable, IS Project Director, said the permit‑tracking system is in stage 2 (process analysis). The team completed the 'as‑is' work and extended analysis to capture additional record types; they added vendor resources so the overall schedule is unchanged. Venable said the analysis sessions conclude in February and stage 2 completes in April with a simple prototype planned.
Qmatic and other technology: Levin said DBI completed training and public notification for the Qmatic queue‑management system but delayed activation after unions requested meet‑and‑confer on potential impacts to employees; one union agreed and others remain to be scheduled. DBI also described a Mission Corridor server consolidation that will host multiple departments’ servers and a planned cash‑management system to replace antiquated point‑of‑sale systems and integrate with the permit‑tracking system. Staff expect some 3R (records) requests to be available online by Jan. 1 and reported increasing online inspection scheduling activity.
Legislation: Bill Strachan updated the commission on legislative items, including the green building ordinance now in effect and 'acts of God' legislation that will affect filing timelines for some fire‑affected properties. DBI staff said they are participating in a statewide high‑rise task force to consider code amendments affecting tall buildings.
Commissioners asked for additional forecasting on large projects expected next year, and staff agreed to provide more information at the next meeting.
