Planning Commission adopts department budget after staff outlines revenue pressures

The Planning Commission unanimously adopted the Planning Department's proposed revenue and expenditure budget for fiscal years 20222024 after a staff presentation and commissioner questions about projected development impact fees.

Planning staff said the department expects reduced development impact-fee revenue over the next two years and described steps to reduce salaries and fringes modestly and to limit large equipment purchases. "We will be reducing our salaries and fringe a little bit because of that reduction in the fees," staff said during the presentation. Commissioners asked for data on projects with entitlements that are approaching expiration (to help refine fee projections) and staff agreed to provide a report within roughly two weeks.

Public commentators generally supported the budget's proposed staffing to coordinate with the Rent Board and bolster tenant protections. Vice President Moore moved to adopt the budget as presented; the commission approved the measure unanimously 6-0.