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permit submittals that may not have been reflected in the report. Bellingham city departments continually <br />make small improvements in our processes that may not be officially documented but are none the less <br />being implemented. <br />Prior to being notified of the audit, the City identified the need to contract with outside companies to help <br />with permit volume and has since been utilizing this strategy to help with review timelines (Report <br />Recommendation). Additionally, we have hired a Permit System Business Analyst to help identify <br />opportunities to increase effectiveness in our permitting processes and added a new plans examiner <br />position to help speed the review process. The analyst has already made recommendations, such as <br />mapping processes, creating reports to track performance and creating standard operating processes to <br />ensure consistent, reliable and accurate use of permit tracking software (Report Recommendation). A <br />primary future role of the analyst will be to review our current permitting software to ensure we meet <br />the updated permit performance reporting requirements beginning In 2025 (Report Recommendation). <br />We appreciate the information provided in the Report, and If not already, plan on implementing the <br />recommendations outlined. We also intend to take advantage of the continuous Improvement workshop <br />offered by the Auditor's Office in 2024. <br />The city of Bellingham understands the importance of permitting in relation to needed housing production <br />and is dedicated to finding strategies and procedures to continually improve our land use review process. <br />Sincerely, <br />Blake Lyon <br />Planning and Community Development Director <br />Cc: Carolyn Cato, Senior Performance Auditor <br />James Geluso, Performance Auditor <br />Kurt Nabbefeld <br />Development Services Manager <br />Page 2of2 <br />Growth Management Act — Agency Response 140 <br />