Last year, the City of Waco Development Services department conducted an efficiency study. The department is responsible for maintaining code enforcement, approving building permits and conducting required inspections, among other things.
Tuesday, director Clint Peters presented city council with the findings of that efficiency report. He told the council that the Development Services Department was making changes with the customer in mind.
Those changes come after an efficiency study was conducted by the department. Recommendations included creating a new FAQ Guide for users, creating more standardized policies and procedures and increasing the use of technology.
"[The study] did recommend leveraging technology, using it more for automation to track our application status, data now on that analysis tools and then sharing inspection information and photos," Peters said at the meeting.
The department has also implemented a 'do-it-yourself’ virtual inspection option for certain customers, a new online permitting software, and a virtual application for rooftop solar systems.
The department is also planning to present ordinance amendments to the council in August.
