09-Paris Economic Development Corporation's Quarterly Report

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Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) Request for Proposals (RFP) City of Paris, Texas Development Services Comprehensive Review August 2010 Cit~, of Paris Business Climate Issues (Opportunih for Improvements)/Scope of Work Background From time-to-tiine concern and dissatisfaction with the City of Paris' processes, policies, procedures, etc. related to "development services" have been discussed and brought to PEDC's atteiition. To be fair, many customers who are required to interface with the City for their project are very satisfied with the results. However, there are also many who have had an experience they would say is less than satisfactory. Similarly, the City ofMcKicmey faced many similar challenges related to their "development services" fiinctions. McKiriney hired a consulling firm named Zucker Systems to review these functions and make specific recommendations io correct an unacceptable situation. Most agree that tlie City of Paris and I.amar County must exude a business friendly attitude and PEDC can market this as a sVength and competitive advantagc for successful economic development. Simply saying we arc business friendly does not make it true. If there is a problem, it must not be ignored. The recent assessment report for the Red River Region Business lncubator iiicluded interviews, comments and a ranking of the City of Paris' business friendliness of 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. Admittedly, the sample size of these rnterviews was small, and speaking to awider population of thc City's customers may have resulted in a completely different result. AMe must not ignore these issues, however large or small they are. There is an opportunity to work with thc City of Paris to address these challenges. Staff is requesting Board approval authorizing them to develop and issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a cornprehensive review of the following City of Paris' development related functions: 1. Building Plans Review 2. Pemiits and Licensing 3. tnspection Services 4. Code Enforccmcnt 5. Historic Preservation Commission 6. Planning and Zoning Commission Thc proposed review would include existing ordinances, policies, procedures, processes, fees, staffing levels and other related issues to delivering these "development services". The review will identify areas of sU-ength as well as areas needing improvement. Pro.posed Scope of Services The scope of services to be performed inay ijiclude, but not be limited to the following: 1. Review and analysis of management control practices and organization struchires. 2. Tdentif), work activities and deterniine work volumes, and recommend appropriate staffing levels. 39