Page 115 - FortWorthFY23AdoptedBudget

General Fund

requirements are still met. The DSD Communications section is charged with creating a voice for the department
and proactively communicating changes, updates, and improvements both internally and externally to the
community we serve. The DSD Communications section is charged with creating a voice for the department and
proactively communicating changes, updates, and improvements both internally and externally to the community
we serve.

The Permitting and Inspections Division reviews and inspects all construction projects for compliance with
construction codes to ensure safety and sound building practices and ensures compliance with the city’s Gas Well
Ordinance. This division is comprised of the following three sections. The Development Support Services section
is responsible for permitting services and customer intake. The Building Services section provides plans
examination, building inspections, and sign ordinance inspections. The Gas Well section performs safety
inspections, permits gas well and gas-related right-of-way activity, and contracts with other municipalities for gas
permitting and inspections.

The Zoning and Design Review Division has three sections. The Zoning Section administers the city’s zoning
regulations including Urban Forestry regulations. The Design Review Section administers the city’s historic
preservation and urban design ordinances. The Appeals Section staffs two Zoning Boards of Adjustment.

The Infrastructure Development Division was added by various merging functions previously housed in the
Transportation and Public Works Department and the Fort Worth Water Department into the newly formed
Development Services Department. The merge is a purposeful effort to create a more efficient and customer-
focused complete permitting process for our customers. The new Division has five sections: Transportation
Development Review, Infrastructure Plan Review, Stormwater Development Services, Parkway, and Water
Development Services.

FY2023 DISCUSSION AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

The Adopted Budget:
· Increases by $4.6 million and 18 authorized positions (APs) due to the movement of the water and
stormwater development functions from the Stormwater and Water & Sewer funds. This includes the
transfer 9 positions from Water & Sewer and 9 positions from Stormwater.
· Increases by $954,546 and 12 APs for additions to the department’s customer support team.
· Increases by $533,531 and four APs for creation of the Development Services Misc. Project (DSMP)section.
· Increases by $370,142 and three APs for expansion of the team responsible for the City’s online permitting
system (Accela).
· Increases by $210,908 and two APs for preservation and design.
· Increases by $207,166 and two APs for expansion of the Parkway Inspection section.
· Increases by $190,494 and two APs for additional senior construction inspectors to help with increased
permitting activity.
· Increases by $184,183 and two APs to reduce high turnaround time of reviews caused by increased
permitting activity.
· Increases by $179,132 and two APs to expand the urban forestry team.
· Increases by $132,820 and one AP to help with increased demand of Design Procurement Agreements
(DPAs) and construction plan reviews.
· Increases by $125,903 and one AP to help with GIS support.
· Increases by $122,876 and one AP to help support downtown planning initiatives.
· Increases by $122,876 and one AP to help promote equity in planning participation.

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