| 2006 Audit Recommendations - Status Tracking | ||||||||||||||
| Audit: Building Permits and Inspection Processes | (Lead: Nancy Schepers) | |||||||||||||
| Audit Recommendation | Management Response | Budget Implications 2008 or Beyond | Related Council Motions | Status Update / Comments | ||||||||||
| Audit Management Response | Action Required Based on DCM Implementation Plan | Management Timelines (Q1- Q4) | ($$ if known) | (Status, risks, issues regarding implementation, etc) | ||||||||||
| 3 | That management consider options that focus on building the reserve funds as rapidly as possible. | Management
agrees with this recommendation.
In the report to Council entitled: Building Regulatory Changes – Impact of Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act and Ontario Regulation 305/03 (ACS2005-PGM-BLD-0010), Branch Management proposed to maintain the building permit fee rate ($13.50 per $1000 in construction value) to enable an accelerated rate of contribution over the next five years of surplus revenues into the reserve funds. At 2005 year end, $2.2 M in surplus revenues were allocated to the reserve funds. For 2006 year end, a higher contribution will be possible due to higher than expected vacancies and lower outsourcing costs. |
Year end surpluses will be earmarked firstly for the Stabilization reserve and once capped, then any surplus will be funnelled to one or both of the other reserves (Insurance and Capital Contribution), until both of these funds are also capped. | Q1 2007 | N/A | N/A | Completed Q1 2007. | |||||||
| 5 | That BSB focus on developing a suite of performance measures that cover outcomes related to legislative compliance, customer service, efficiency and effectiveness, and on developing the capacity to report on these measures, with results of these measures posted in public areas. While BSB should continue to work with ITS in this regard, it should also strengthen its internal ability capacity to query and report on data within MAP. | Management
agrees with this recommendation.
In tandem with the development and implementation of the new business processes as a result of Bill 124 and the changes made to MAP (the City’s computerized management information system), Branch management is developing the capacity to report on the Branch’s performance with respect to the mandatory turnaround times and other services and activities. ITS Project 1085 – Building Services Performance is near completion and will provide reporting data on the Branch’s performance vis-ŕ-vis the mandatory turnaround times for decisions. This project is scheduled for Q1 2007 to coincide with the annual OMBI reporting timeframe and the first Annual Report to be issued by the Branch in accordance with the Building Code Act, on April 1, 2007. Tracking the performance of inspections vis-ŕ-vis the mandatory timeframe requires the development and implementation of remote technology and further MAP enhancements, the subject of Recommendation 4 (below). |
Q2 2007 | N/A | N/A | Completed Q2 2007. New performance measures have been implemented and reported in the first Annual Report on Building Code Fees presented to Council on April 25, 2007. | ||||||||
| 6 | That BSB develop and continue to evolve plans for effective use of technology, including portable devices and e-based application processing, consistent with evolving technologies. | Management
agrees with this recommendation. In 2003, the Branch undertook a business process analysis of Branch procedures and activities related to servicing building permits and enforcing the Building Code Act and Building Code. The assessment provided for the establishment of the Foundation Project, whereby process changes and MAP enhancements were identified that would streamline processes and enable the implementation of the Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act. The Foundation Project has served as a blueprint for a number of IT Projects, which have been underway since 2004. As technology evolves, BSB will review, assess (business case), test/pilot new technologies to determine their suitability in enhancing the Branch’s effectiveness in meeting the legislative responsibilities and increasing efficiencies. |
Ongoing continuing improvement process. | Ongoing | Completed | |||||||||