Budget Presentations: Departments

FY2025

Community Development Department Proposed Budget

Brian Billingsley, AICP

Community & Economic Development Director

Community Development Department Overview

• 17 Total Employees

14 Full-Time

2 Part-Time

1 Summer Help.

Three Divisions:

Administration – 1 FT Employee.

Inspections – 9 FT Employees, 2 PT Employee.

Planning – 4 FT Employees, 1 Summer Help.

Fully staffed!

Inspections – 2023

• File scanning project – $50,000.

• Building permit software project.

• Training and Certificates:

- Duran Bishof – Plumbing Inspector I and II. Plumbing Plan Reviewer.

CE – Educode and NDBOA Conferences.

Purchased Desktop Plan Review Table – $7,500

Property Files

But wait, there’s more…

127 file drawers need to be scanned.

Building Permit Software – Went Live on May 1

File Scanning – $50,000

Training on new codes – $10,500

Lunch and Learn (4) – New Building Codes and Permitting Software – $1,000

Adjust Plan Review Fees

Inspections 2024 – New Position Request

• - Hire a Commercial Plans Examiner:

• Position was eliminated during 2018 budget cuts. 525 Plan Review in 2023.

• Estimated cost: $99,753.82

• - Proposed Revenues:

• NO PROPERTY TAXES – 100% Fee Based.

• Raise the hourly fee for plan reviews from $75 per hour to $105 per hour.

• Add a flat fee of $75 to all residential buildings and accessory structures plan reviews.

• Add a variable fee to all commercial plan reviews

• Under $249,999 - $175

• Over $250,000 and under $499,999 - $250

• Over $500,000 and under $999,999 - $350

• Over $1,000,000 - $500

Inspections Staffing Comparisons

Inspections – 2025

• Training – $12,000.

• File scanning project – $50,000 (two temporary personnel).

• Reanalyze and benchmark building permit fees (2019).

• Acquire a new automobile.

Electrical Inspection Program - 2023

Electrical Inspection Program - 2024

• - Sometimes not conducting service inspections.

• - Still not conducting plan reviews or enforcing city codes.

• - Approving final inspections despite obvious safety issues.

• - Lack of coverage.

• 2022 – 2 city inspectors and 1 inspector covering a 2 county area.

• 2024 – 1 inspector covering a 2 county area (including Minot).

• - Lack of communication.

• Issuing electrical certificates and conducting inspections on projects when a building permit has not been issued.

Planning

• Wrapped up Comprehensive Plan in May.

• Started the Housing Study in June – $144,000.

- Hired Stantec

- Focus groups, workshops, community survey

• 62 Development Review Team (DRT) Meetings.

Planning – 2024

• Wrapped up Housing Study in April.

• Staff Training.

• Implementing the Comprehensive Plan.

• Housing Study

• Community Satisfaction Survey

• Downtown Outdoor Plaza

• Develop a coordinated highway welcoming signage system.

https://minot2040.com/uploads/5/10_implementation_draft_202

30111.pdf

LU-1 Define and promote "community activities areas" where a mix of housing and employment uses should be encouraged at higher densities (Low Cost - 1 Year Project)

LU-2 Establish a new joint powers agreement with Ward County to define extra-territorial boundaries and clearly defined areas where the city intends to provide services (Low Cost - 1 Year Project) [Staff has already started work on this project]

LU-3 Work towards annexation of priority areas, including islands of unincorporated area within city limits and checkerboard properties along the east side of the city (Medium Cost - Multiple Year Project)

LU-6 Develop a list of potential properties and redevelopment uses; study site alternatives, costs and development strategies (Medium Cost - 1 Year ProjectConsultant Necessary)

H-2 Promote existing grant and loan programs that assist with rehabilitation of existing housing stock to broaden accessibility for residents with disabilities, the elderly, and first-time homebuyers. Develop a targeted outreach campaign. (Medium Cost - 1 Year - Consultant Necessary)

H-3 Promote existing grant and loan programs that assist with housing upgrades that improve energy efficiency and create long-term savings for homeowners and residents. Develop a targeted outreach campaign (Medium Cost - 1 Year - Consultant Necessary)

LU-5 Identify a long-term maintenance and use plan for storm water ponds (Medium Cost - Multiple Year

H-4 Explore opportunities to convert underutilized or underperforming commercial properties into residential or mixed-use by engaging with local partners (Low Cost1 Year)

PTOS-1 Provide and enhance public access from Downtown to the riverfront trail, ensuring a connection is available through a flood wall (High Cost - Multiple Year Project) [I suggest placing this as a low priority because we should complete more flood control projects and build more riverfront trails before we start providing access]

ED-2 Work with the Park District to expand the City's tree planting program (High Cost - Multiple Year Project)

PTOS-2 Work with partners to provide public restrooms within downtown and other public spaces (High CostMultiple Year Project)

ED-5 Improve bicycle/pedestrian connections between Downtown and Minot State University (High CostMultiple Year Project)

ED-6 Conduct a cluster analysis to identify regional opportunities and challenges for businesses and firms. (Medium Cost - 1 Year Project - Consultant Required)

PTOS-3 Expand wayfinding signage to identify public water access, trails, and amenities (High Cost - Multiple Year Project - Consultant Necessary) [I suggest placing this as a low priority because we should complete the highway wayfinding project before we jump into this project]

CC-2 Create a gateway corridor overlay zone that applies to development fronting the City's US highways, arterials, and/or collectors that applies heightened landscaping and building design standards to new developments (Medium Cost - 1 Year Project - Consultant Required)

PTOS-4 Identify ways to restore the "dead loops" in the river. Engage the community in the process (High CostMultiple Year Project - Consultant Necessary)

Planning – 2025 New Position Request

• Hire a 2nd Full-Time Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.

• Eliminate Summer Help Position

• Grade 52: Salary Range $45,799 to $67,990

• High priority in the Community Satisfaction Survey.

• Current level of service: Responsive to complaints.

• Goal: Become more proactive rather than rely on complaints.

• Alternative: Eliminate summer help position and hire a year-round part-time code enforcement officer.

Economic Development

Budget $15,000 in the FY 2025 budget for developer and builder training.

• Urban Land Institute – Residential Land Development

• Certified Commercial Investment Institute – Commercial Land Development

• National Association of Home Builders – Production Level Housing Construction

Façade Improvement Program

• - Current Fund Balance - $483,428 (3 or 4 projects)

• - I have three potential applicants that are working with architects.

• Freight House.

• Apartment Complex

• Main Street Building

• - I have received inquiries from three other properties:

• Lien’s Jewelry

• Ebeneezer’s

• Niess Impressions

Thank you for your support!

Questions?

City Assessor’s Office

Responsibilities

Estimate the market value of over 19,440 properties each year

Physically review approximately 15% of taxable properties per year

Measure, list, and value all new construction

Oversee over 1,400 property tax exemption and credit applications per year

Assessor’s Office Budget Breakdown

Staff Members

Assistant City Assessor

(3) Senior Appraisers

Property Assessment Specialist

City Assessor

Overhead Expenses

Operating Expenses

2025 Request

No additional staff

No additional equipment

Only costs to efficiently perform our duties

Questions ?