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, udrr Results <br />Three governments —Bellingham, Snohomish and Vancouver --had conducted <br />process improvement projects to streamline parts of their permitting processes. <br />However, none of the audited governments had processes in place to regularly <br />review permit processing times to put changes in place and measure results in each <br />year of the audit period. When asked why, one manager said that staff focus had <br />shifted to other priorities, such as pandemic response and implementing new IT <br />systems. Managers from ICittitas said the county had made process improvements. <br />However, we did not see documented evidence showing the efforts undertaken. <br />Two other governments addressed this leading practice after the period of our <br />review. In early 2023, Richland received the report from its 2022 consulting <br />engagement, so any resulting changes it decides to make fall outside our review <br />period. Shoreline held a two-day workshop in May 2023 to review its permitting <br />processes to identify areas for future improvements. <br />Given the value that analyzing permit review processes, performance and costs <br />could offer, the State Auditor's Office has arranged for its Center for Government <br />Innovation to offer all local governments - not only those involved in this audit <br />- a free, voluntary webinar in 2024. This webinar will focus on the principles and <br />practices involved in continuous improvement. By gaining a better understanding <br />of continuous improvement, attendees will be able to make better decisions about <br />how using its techniques can further improve their permit review process. <br />Growth Management Act Audit Results i 31 <br />