2024-04-08-minutes-public-works-study-session

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Data limitations and extrapolating results Our survey included all governments required to report on permit review time performance, so the results demonstrate the overall level of compliance with state law. The responses from required governments about why they did not post reports are similarly representative of the entire state because it included all required governments. In addition, for those governments that said they did not post permit performance reports, we did not search their websites to corroborate their responses. It is therefore possible that some governments that said they do not post these reports do include some or all the information listed in state law on their websites. Work on internal controls Internal controls were significant within the context of the audit objectives. We assessed each local government's design for specific controls to determine if they would be capable of achieving their objectives. We also assessed whether these controls were in place during the audit period. However, we did not assess the operational effectiveness of these controls. We specifically evaluated the following controls: Timeliness of permit review. We evaluated whether the local governments had established review time periods for each type of project permit as required by state law. We also evaluated whether local governments published annual reports on permit performance statistics. We interviewed government officials and reviewed documents such as local ordinances and reports to determine if these controls were in place. Several governments did not publish annual permit reports, which represents a deficiency in internal control. We did not assess the operational effectiveness for these controls where they did exist. Sufficient staffing to assist applicants and meet permit review timelines. We evaluated whether the local governments had designated staff positions to assist applicants during the permit process. We also evaluated whether local governments had any staffing contingencies such as on -call contractors to respond to periods of high permit activity. We interviewed government staff and reviewed documents such as position descriptions and contracts to determine if these controls were in place. We did not assess the operational effectiveness for these controls. Education and outreach to permit applicants. We evaluated whether the local governments had developed educational and outreach materials to explain the permit process to applicants and help them understand how to submit complete applications. We interviewed government staff and reviewed documents such as permit checklists and other application materials to determine if these controls were in place. We did not assess the operational effectiveness for these controls. Monitoring and continuous improvement of permitting processes. We evaluated whether the local governments monitored their permitting processes and conducted continuous improvement efforts related to ensuring they met the 120-day review timeline. We interviewed government staff and reviewed documents such as project charters and reports to determine if these controls were in place. We did not assess the operational effectiveness for these controls. Growth Management Act Appendix B 1 56