10/19/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

M ® M • Cost The cost of the system will range from includes the price of necessary hardware installation and training. It also programming to provide an interface inspection system and the community automated building permitting system. $25,000 to $29,000. This and software, as well as includes the cost for between the automated development department's The only recurring expense will be a maintenance fee paid on an annual basis. Ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, this price covers the cost of service from the vendor. • Systems There are at least two vendors who have proprietary systems and are interested in providing the referenced products to the County. Both of these vendors would contract with the firm which developed the County's automated building' permit system to provide the necessary interface. Since more than one vendor can provide the referenced product, it is necessary either to go out to bid or to go out with a request -for -proposal (RFP). • Savings Given the initial system acquisition cost of approximately $25,000, it would take slightly more than a year to recover that cost with the savings from the personnel reduction. Since the current salary of the building division clerk whose position would be eliminated is $15,307, and considering the applicable fringe rate and G & A charge, the total annual personnel cost reduction would be approximately $22,000. Once the acquisition costs are recovered in just over a year, the personnel cost savings will continue. Since the only system expense will be the $2,000 - $3,000 annual maintenance fee, the annual savings will be almost $20,000. • Necessary Action Two actions of the Board are necessary to allow staff to acquire the automated inspection system. First, the Board must authorize staff to advertise a request -for -proposals for an automated inspection system. Second, the Board must approve a budget amendment for the building division, transferring personnel expenses and reserve funds to capital. This, however, need not be done until proposals have been evaluated and exact costs have been determined. ANALYSIS: Staff has researched automated inspection systems and found them to be effective and cost efficient. Both Polk County and the City of Port St. Lucie have comparable systems in place and functioning. In each case, the system has reduced personnel cost and has provided building contractors more convenience. Technically, automated inspection systems work, and cost savings from such systems can be documented. One concern, however, is whether the building community would accept the automation or demand to talk to a clerk. In both Polk County and Port St. Lucie, system acceptance has been good, with over 90% of applicants using. the automated system in those areas. _ A similar acceptance rate can be expected in Indian River County. 33 OCT i� 1993 BOOK 9® FAG; 808.