Management evaluation of the building & codes department for the town of Signal Mountain, Tennessee
MTAS was requested to facilitate a management evaluation of the Building & Codes Department for the Town of Signal Mountain. One of the findings of the management evaluation was a significant disparity between permit fee revenues and expenses incurred by the department. The disparity had been growing year-over-year during the 3-year period analyzed as part of the management evaluation. To reduce the gap between revenues and expenditures, it was recommended the Town explore permit fee adjustments to increase revenues to more closely align with actual expenses.
MTAS conducted an analysis of revenues and expenditures that was utilized as the basis for preparing adjustments in various permit fees. Adjustments in fees were outlined in a comparative analysis that provided a side-by-side comparison of the existing permit fee schedule with an amended permit fee schedule to illustrate to decision-makers where amendments were being considered. Rather than attempting to make up all the difference with one comprehensive amendment, it was recommended the Town consider a multi-step process where initial fee amendments would be adopted and at the end of the fiscal year a subsequent financial analysis would be performed to determine if additional adjustments would be needed to further reduce the disparity between permit revenues and expenses. A draft ordinance was prepared with the recommended amended fee schedule as an exhibit to the ordinance. The ordinance repealed the previously adopted fee schedule and adopted the amended fee schedule in its place. The governing body approved the amendment to the permit fee schedule.
| Building codes Planning--Reports Revenue sources--Fees and charges Licenses and permits Code enforcement--Building inspection--Personnel Management--Policy and evaluation Signal Mountain (Tenn) |