Committee forwards Ernst & Young donation and data-sharing agreement for permitting AI proof of concept

The committee moved ordinance 20 26 1 95 to council to accept a donation of services and a data-sharing agreement from Ernst & Young LLP valued in the ordinance at $268,209.02 to support a 'voice of the customer' survey and an AI proof of concept for certificate-of-occupancy processes.

Kevin J. Vaughn, director of planning and development review, said the project will analyze permit data, survey customers about permitting and inspections experiences, and test AI tools intended to reduce back-and-forth between applicants and staff. Vaughn said the city is implementing a new permitting software and hopes to go live in February 2027; he described the EY contribution as a not-to-exceed ceiling that may not reach full value. Committee members asked why the donation amount was high; Vaughn said EY offered pro bono services and principals might be involved, and that the project requires significant data work. The committee voted to forward the ordinance with a recommendation to approve.