Issuu

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)