2023 City of Shakopee Budget

97

Budget Impact: Shakopee's Inspectors are in the field whether it is a beautiful summer day or it’s twenty degrees and snowing. They work with everyone from homeowners to house builders to large industrial builders. Their number one goal is to ensure residents are safe in their buildings while also providing great customer service with timely inspections. Building Inspectors traverse the city throughout the week and can drive more than 10,000 miles a year. The city purchased its first electric vehicle, a Ford Mach-E, for the electrical inspector and has ordered an additional Mach-E and a Ford Lightening to continue the electrification of its fleet. In partnership with Shakopee Public Utilities, a charger was installed at city hall and chargers have been deployed for public use at the Community Center, Lewis Street Parking Lot downtown and will be installed in several parks. The city’s new permitting system was embraced by customers since it now allows e-check or credit card payments. The software now tracks every permit and allows customers to see on their own dashboard the status of their permit and inspections. The software has also allowed for the electronic processing of everything from dog licenses to liquor licenses. 2022 was an exceptional workload for the Building Department this year setting a record for permit revenue. More than 1,000 roofs were damaged by a hailstorm and wind and required additional inspections. Also, several larger projects were underway or wrapping up including Shakopee Flats, Pulte Townhomes and Triple Crown Phase Two. The City Council also approved the passage of a Property Maintenance Code and an Apartment Rental License and Inspection Program that was effective in August 2021. The staff has been working to implement a new licensing program effective January 2023 for all residential rental properties. A new Building Inspector – Rental Housing, will be hired at the start of 2023 to work on the program.

EMPLOYEES

PERCENT OF GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

9.1

8.1

8.1

Building Inspections 4.9%

7.1

Actual 2020 Actual 2021 Budget 2022 Budget 2023

Number of Employees (FTEs)