2008 Budget Book - Kitsap County Government

112
Community Service
Special Revenue Fund
Community Development
Purpose:
The Department of Community Development (DCD) exists to help the Board of Commissioners (BOCC) and
the citizens of Kitsap County to find and implement solutions to the challenges of growth through:
• Community involvement and partnerships in planning our future;
• Timely customer service for development permits;
• Environmentally responsive regulation of land development;
• Inspection of properties for fire safety and building code compliance;
• Protection of human life, property and the environment from fire and hazardous materials through
fire prevention services.
• Assurance that development is compatible with County road and drainage standards;
• Prompt response to citizen complaints about code violations;
• Comprehensive planning that sets forth a clear vision for the future and conforms to the GMA
There are seven divisions in DCD that are responsible for developing, administering and enforcing building,
land use, environmental, engineering, and fire standards to protect public safety while enhancing both
natural and built environments, including conducting development permitting, planning, and grant oversight
functions.
• Administrative & Fiscal Operations
Fiscal operations, personnel matters, technology operations, and department wide process
improvements
• Permit Center
Process all DCD permit applications, including permit intake, permit tracking, closing out of permits,
archiving procedures, and provides a centralized resource for citizens regarding all permit related
activities
• Building Division
Plan Review and Building Inspections
• Engineering Division
Road Approaches, Grading, Site Development Activity (SDAP) Permits; Surveying
• Fire Marshal and Code Compliance Division
Plan Review, Inspection, Arson Investigation, Commercial Occupancy Permit Review and Safety
Inspections, Education, and Code Compliance
• Policy and Planning
Permit review for land use related activities, oversees and conducts long-range planning for Kitsap
County, including compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA), community planning and
coordinating with other jurisdictions
• Natural Resources & Environmental Review
Shoreline management act, permit review for environmental impact related to land use activities,
researches and conveys data to the Board of County Commissioners, the community, other divisions
and departments for use in making effective decisions during development to protect natural
resource systems such as streams, wetlands, and aquifer recharge areas. They are responsible for
recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners about policies regarding the protection of
natural resources in Kitsap County.
2007 Accomplishments:
• Administrative & Fiscal Operations
o Implemented new work code structure to capture work efforts by specific work activities
o Prepared for implementation of Enterprise type fund in 2008, including development of
Fiscal Fee Policies
o Citizen Response Management:
• Ensured the Department always has a live person answering the main phone.
• Created documentation to assist office assistants in answering general questions
asked by citizens.