Department Budget
FY2017 Service Summary Planning & Development Services Division Program Area: Neighborhood Quality Mission: We provide superior service by working together for the common good and our common goals; always listening, helping, learning, educating with every opportunity, emphasizing the strengths of our community; carefully promoting opportunity; and continually seeking to improve our health, safety and the quality of life in Pocatello.
FY2017 Service Summary Key Services provided Program Area: Neighborhood Quality Outputs - Planning FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 diff FY16-17 5 year avg. Planning Fees Collected $31,950 $27,383 $27,973 $37,959 $50,414 $12,455 $35,136 Land Use Reviews Land Use Reviews Total 23 24 41 37 179 142 61 Meetings Meetings Total 94 77 95 62 64 2 78 Plan Reviews Plan Reviews total 461 491 642 371 284-87 450 Economic Development FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 Labor Force* 28,175 28,260 28,450 28,666 28,167-499 28,344 Employed* 26,467 26,947 27,258 27,648 27,926 278 27,249 Unemployed* 1,708 1,313 1,192 1,018 871-147 1,220 Percent Unemployment* 6.10% 4.60% 4.20% 3.60% 3.10% -0.50% 4.32% New/Expanded Business** 5 14 8 10 19 9 11 *Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Idaho Dept. of Labor, Communications and Research, Local Media **Growth of at least 10 employees in 2017
FY2017 Output Summary Population Served: 54,746 Number of Employees: Management Assistant: 1 1/54,746 Director 1 1/54,746 Planning: 3 1/18,249 CDBG Program: 3** 1/18,249 Pocatello Regional Airport: 9** 1/6,083 TOTAL 17 ** CDBG/LHC (4 positions/one vacant) and Pocatello Regional Airport (9 employees) are discussed separately.
Measures of Effectiveness, Key Accomplishments: Work continued on Title 15, Chapter 20, Sign Code. A moratorium was declared from June through November on new off-premises (billboard) signs. This was done to allow staff the opportunity to research and propose changes to address various concerns, but especially traffic safety light intrusion into residential areas. Planning staff was heavily involved in preliminary discussions and work on the Northgate Interchange and proposed development. The Historic Preservation Commission was very active, especially in their work to rehabilitate the Brady Chapel. In addition to two workdays, public events were held for Memorial Day, All Hallows Eve, and Veterans Day.
Measures of Effectiveness, Key Accomplishments: Planning staff continues to be involved with various committees and projects, both within the City organization and with partners. These include: Relight the Night, Portneuf River Visioning, Old Town Design Committee, etc. The Pocatello Development Authority, with the PDA Director as Executive Director, continued assistance to the City on economic development issues (report provided to the City Council at its February study session).
Issues and Concerns: HUD Funding: Annual uncertainty regarding federal appropriation which funds the CDBG Program. Land Use Ordinances: Work on the many land use and related ordinances continues. Long range planning has taken a back seat to the large number of current planning applications. Though much has been accomplished, it is estimated that needed updates to the zoning, subdivision and sign ordinances will take at least an additional year to complete. Urban Renewal: TIF funding is our main tool to provide infrastructure and other economic development incentives without bonding from property tax. It has been under attack on a consistent basis and the support of elected officials may again be needed at the state legislative level in defense of this tool.
Issues and Concerns: The number of permits or planning applications are an uncontrolled metric that staff has little or no influence on. This makes annual comparisons less meaningful. Because each city structures its planning departments differently and each may be responsible for somewhat different functions, annual comparisons, again, may be less meaningful.
Budget Comparison FY18 to FY 19 See Excel File
Budget Authority Increase Request: One employee plans to take classes toward a graduate level degree. Currently budgeted at $3,000 need an additional $2,000 New Position Planning Technician $73,040 For current workload and to allow time for long range planning New Position Senior Planner $93,569 For current workload and to allow time for long range planning
Proposed Fee Increases: Planning Fees Subcomponent Current Proposed Additional Information Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Sign Permits Type 1 $295.00 $325.00 High level of staff time required to process Off Premise Charge per Required Notice $ - $1.50 Clarification
Additional Revenues The proposed increase in fee revenue will create only a very minor increase in the revenue budget of no more than $100.00. The Planning and Development Department resides in the General Fund The General Fund is rebuilding reserves and does not have excess reserves at this time for one time capital needs.
City Council Guidance requested on: Proposed Fee increases If guidance is approved these increases will be included in the budget for review during tax solution process.