Defiance council adopts emergency ordinance to implement online permitting system

A city staff member presented a proposal for online permitting and payments at the Defiance City Council meeting on July 7, and the council voted to adopt the contract as an emergency ordinance.

The staff presentation said the system (iWORKS) would allow residents, contractors and city staff to submit and process permits and payments online, reducing paper costs and front-desk congestion. “This updated system will allow people on both sides of the counter to be more efficient with their time,” the staff member said.

Costs and timing: The presenter told council the implementation would take about 60 days. The one-time cost cited for the current calendar year was $11,480 plus a $3,500 setup fee; an annual subscription of $25,000 was estimated to begin in May of the following year. The staff member said the city intends to pay initial costs from the administrator’s contingency fund.

Council action: Council moved to suspend and to call (waive) additional readings, then voted to adopt the ordinance authorizing the contract and declaring an emergency. The council president announced the ordinance was adopted at the meeting.

Why it matters: City officials said the move should speed permit issuance and reduce paperwork for both contractors and residents. Council members voiced support, noting that easier permit access could encourage compliant permitting activity and help recovery after storm events that generate many contractor visits.

Ending: The ordinance was adopted on an emergency basis; details on long-term budget treatment will be addressed in future budget planning.