Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Candidates call for permitting fixes and an audit as part of revitalization plan
Summary
Forum candidates pressed for faster, clearer permitting and called for audits to clarify city finances and priorities; the panel disputed whether a recent audit had already been approved.
Permitting delays and municipal transparency were frequent themes. Several candidates said permitting must be fair, timely and more transparent so small businesses can open without repeated rounds of corrections. Frank Heathcock emphasized hiring and accountability for inspectors, saying slow or incomplete inspections hold up projects.
Kenneth Grant urged a financial audit to show how funds are allocated: "When was the last time the city had an audit? Been over 2 years at least," he said. Tim Wood replied that an audit had recently been approved, creating a factual dispute during the forum. Candidates proposed updating the city’s strategic plan, pursuing land-banking options for blighted commercial parcels and convening stakeholders to drive revitalization.
