MEMORANDUM  TO: FROM: DATE:  Byron. Johnson, Director of Purchasing Greg Guernsey, Director Planning and Development Review August 25,2010 One Stop Shop  SUBJECT: Professional Services Contract for Cost of Service Study for Planning and Development Review It has been many years since the fees charged by the City of Austin for Development Review, Review, and Building Inspections have been reviewed in a comprehensive manner. The combination Permitting of recent reorganization of the Watershed Protection One Stop Shop and the Planning Department into the the Planning and Development Review Department and current economic conditions makes it an ideal time activity to occur. The City Auditors office also conducted an audit of the One Stop that concluded a cost of service study should be conducted as soon as possible. The Shop prior to development regulations and ordinances in Austin preclude simple fee comparisons with comprehensive other cities nature of instead an accounting base cost ofs service study as cited by Governmental Financial Officers Associations. and require This type of study ist typically conducted under a professional services contract by highly specialized firms. Planning and Development Review contacted Malcolm Pirnie/Red Oak Consulting, Maximus, and The PFM Group because of their specialization in this type of work to receive preliminary proposals which highlighted specific qualifications of the firms, the project teams they' would assign, similar work While all of the firms are qualified, after thorough review of these proposals, PDR has determined combination of experience, the project team, the proposed scope of work, and specific makes Thel PFM Group the best choice toj perform the cost ofs service study. We are therefore requesting City Council approval to negotiate a professional services contract service study for the fees currently charged by PDR with The PFM Group. Iti is anticipated that ultimate for a cost of this work willinot exceed $100,000. PDR has this amount budgeted for this purpose in the approved 2010 cost CIP of  consolidation for this  with other that the  jurisdictions, and an outline for their proposed scope of work.  experience  knowledge of Austin  budget (8405 68078003). 3E  Greg  Planning and Development Review cc: Don Birkner, Assistant Director PDR Lisa Nickle, Financial Manager PDR Leslie Browder, Chief Financial Officer