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An ordinance authorizing a technology fee to fund the technology required by the community development and regulation processes and establishing the ITS Technology Fund.
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WHEREAS, the Information Technology Systems Department (“ITS”) is responsible for supplying the technology required for the community development and regulation (“CDR”) processes, which enable the issuance of building permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, gas permits and select water service permits; and,
WHEREAS, the unprecedented growth of Nashville over the last five years has put stress on not only the employees of departments and agencies that conduct CDR activities, but also the online computer applications used to manage those processes in a timely, secure and accurate manner; and,
WHEREAS, costs associated with funding big ticket productivity improvements are a challenge in approval of an annual operating budget as such improvements are both expensive and recur irregularly; and,
WHEREAS, an independent consultant was obtained to determine whether a technology fee should be imposed upon the issuance of such permits and the consultant determined that a technology fee is reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of the technology required by the CDR process; and,
WHEREAS, the technology fee, an additional 10% fee on top of applicable Department of Codes permit fees and applicable Metro Water Services’ permit fees and services, will be used to recover the cost of providing the technology required by the CDR process (“Recovery Cost”), including future maintenance and upgrades; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the Metropolitan Government and the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County that this fee be authorized.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1: That a 10% technology fee will be assessed on top of applicable Department of Codes’ permit fees and applicable Metro Water Services’ permit fees and services.
Section. 2. That the technology fee may be adjusted annually to ensure cost recovery after review and approval by the Department of Finance.
Section 3. That all fees collected shall be deposited into the ITS Technology Fund, Fund Number 30370, and shall be used for the purpose of providing the technology required by the CDR process, including future maintenance and upgrades.
Section 4: That amendments to this legislation shall be approved by resolution.
Section 5: That this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance creates a 10% technology fee that will be assessed on top of applicable permit fees assessed by the Department of Codes and applicable permit fees and services from the Metro Water Services. The technology fee may be adjusted annually to ensure cost recovery after review and approval by the Department of Finance.
All fees collected must be used for the purpose of providing the technology required by the community development and regulation processes, including future maintenance and upgrades.
Future amendments to this ordinance may be approved by resolution.