Committee backs administration benchmarking and a visual timeline for development permitting
Summary
Council members asked the administration to produce a visual timeline and a fall benchmarking report that compares Cincinnati’s fees and permitting timelines to nine peer cities; the administration will produce a final report in the fall and present to council after Labor Day.
The Budget and Finance Committee placed on for passage a progress report request and related motions seeking a clear, visual timeline of the city's development and permitting processes and benchmarking against peer cities. The administration presented a progress report identifying nine peer cities and said it will issue a final benchmarking report in the fall. Why it matters: The work is intended to measure competitiveness on fees and key performance metrics such as permit and inspection turnaround times so the city can identify efficiency improvements and reduce barriers for developers and builders. Committee discussion: Council member Owens and others said the visual timeline would help the public and developers better understand the process and identify bottlenecks. Council member Jeffries suggested folding the motion into the administration's benchmarking work; the administration supported producing a combined report that clearly delineates the distinct motions within a single deliverable. Next steps: The chair and members agreed the administration should return with an update in September, after Labor Day when council resumes session, to present progress and data. The committee placed item 1 and item 4 on for passage; administration to provide final benchmarking report in the fall.
