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Home My WebLink About131-26 RESOLUTIONPage 1 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 131-26 File Number: 2026-1680 A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ADDITION OF TWO FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS IN THE PLANNING DIVISION OF THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT WHEREAS, in 2025, Mayor Rawn and the City Council recognized the need to improve development-related services and account for the cost of those services; and WHEREAS, a two-part action was taken to amend user fees and increase staffing levels in both the Development Services Department and the Engineering Division of Public Works which resulted in reduced review times for several permit and project categories; and WHEREAS, during more recent evaluations, staff found that the potential remains to further improve review times while also offering more timely responses to applicants and residents; and WHEREAS, due to the scope of responsibilities, coupled with the ongoing, heightened volume and complexity of development in Fayetteville, the Planning Division experiences high turnover; and WHEREAS, as a result, the overall division and its leadership make trade-offs between day-to-day development review and staff training, communication, work plan development and execution, pursuing process improvement, and participating in long-range planning endeavors; and WHEREAS, staff is proposing the addition of two planner positions because, without these positions, turnover is anticipated to remain at its current high level of one planner resigning every year since 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes the addition of two full-time equivalent positions in the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves a budget adjustment, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution. Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33 Resolution: 131-26 File Number: 2026-1680 Page 2 PASSED and APPROVED on May 19, 2026 Approved: _______________________________ Molly Rawn, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33 Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov CITY COUNCIL MEMO 2026-1680 MEETING OF MAY 19, 2026 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THROUGH: Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff FROM: Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director SUBJECT: Additional Positions to Improve Development-Related Service Levels RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommends approval of a resolution to budget two additional positions within the Development Services Department to improve customer service through reduced development review relays, improved response times, and resident support, and to approve a budget adjustment. BACKGROUND: In 2025, Mayor and City Council recognized the need to improve development-related services and also account for the cost of those services. Accordingly, a two-part action was taken to amend user fees and increase staffing levels in both the Development Services Department and Engineering Division of Public Works. Subsequently, staff documented reduced review times for several permit and project categories. During more recent evaluations of process and service, staff found that the potential remains to further improve review times while also offering more timely responses to applicants and residents. DISCUSSION: Among the City groups that participate in development-related activities, the Planning Division within the Development Services Department plays a primary role. This includes, but is not limited to, reviews of grading and building permits, staffing Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment meetings, performing site inspections, introducing laypeople to city processes, and coordinating the cross-departmental evaluation of plats, site plans, variances, and other requests. Due to this scope of responsibilities, coupled with the ongoing, heightened volume and complexity of development in Fayetteville, the capacity of existing Planning staff cannot match workload. As a result, the overall division and its leadership make trade-offs between day-to-day development review and staff training, communication, work plan development and execution, pursuing process improvement, and participating in long-range planning initiatives. By contrast, the recently approved staffing for the Engineering and Building Safety Divisions resulted in significant and tangible improvements in service, as evidenced most prominently by faster approvals for several classes of permit and initiating pilot programs for further improvements. Given this, staff proposes two planner positions. Anticipated outcomes of additional staffing include improved customer and resident service through more prompt inquiry and response times, heightened staff training, and enhanced development-related coordination across divisions and departments. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: This action would add two positions to the City's FTE count for a total of 970.10. Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33 Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov ATTACHMENTS: 3. Staff Review Form , 4. Budget Adjustment Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33 Page 1 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Legislation Text 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 File #: 2026-1680 A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ADDITION OF TWO FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS IN THE PLANNING DIVISION OF THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT WHEREAS, in 2025, Mayor Rawn and the City Council recognized the need to improve development- related services and account for the cost of those services; and WHEREAS, a two-part action was taken to amend user fees and increase staffing levels in both the Development Services Department and the Engineering Division of Public Works which resulted in reduced review times for several permit and project categories; and WHEREAS, during more recent evaluations, staff found that the potential remains to further improve review times while also offering more timely responses to applicants and residents; and WHEREAS, due to the scope of responsibilities, coupled with the ongoing, heightened volume and complexity of development in Fayetteville, the Planning Division experiences high turnover; and WHEREAS, as a result, the overall division and its leadership make trade-offs between day-to-day development review and staff training, communication, work plan development and execution, pursuing process improvement, and participating in long-range planning endeavors; and WHEREAS, staff is proposing the addition of two planner positions because, without these positions, turnover is anticipated to remain at its current high level of one planner resigning every year since 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes the addition of two full-time equivalent positions in the Planning Division of the Development Services Department. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves a budget adjustment, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution. Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33 Comments: Purchase Order Number: Change Order Number: Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Approval Date: Original Contract Number: Project Number Budget Impact: Fund 1010 - General1010.630.6300 Account Number Project Title City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2026-1680 Item ID 5/19/2026 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only City staff recommends approval of a resolution to budget two additional positions within the Development Services Department to improve customer service through reduced development review delays, improved response times, and resident support. N/A for Non-Agenda Item Action Recommendation: Submitted By Jonathan Curth DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (620) Division / Department 4/30/2026 Submitted Date No -$ -$ V20221130 Budgeted Item? Does item have a direct cost? Is a Budget Adjustment attached? Total Amended Budget Expenses (Actual+Encum) Available Budget Item Cost Budget Adjustment Remaining Budget -$ -$ No Yes 164,932.00$ 164,932.00$ Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33 Budget Year Requestor: 5/19/2026 2026-1680 D - (City Council) / TOTAL 164,932 164,932 Account Number Expense Revenue Project Sub.Detl AT Account NameGLACCOUNTEXPENSEREVENUEPROJECTSUBATDESCRIPTION X 1010.630.6300-5100.00 81,248 - EX Salaries/Wages - FT, Regular 1010.630.6300-5105.00 5,038 - EX Payroll Taxes - FICA 1010.630.6300-5105.01 1,180 - EX Payroll Taxes - Medicare 1010.630.6300-5108.00 14,472 - EX Emp Insurance - Health 1010.630.6300-5108.01 192 - EX Emp Insurance - LTD 1010.630.6300-5108.02 8 - EX Emp Insurance - ADD 1010.630.6300-5108.03 162 - EX Emp Insurance - Life 1010.630.6300-5109.06 9,750 - EX Pension - Retirement Savings 1010.630.6300-5210.00 8,000 - EX Minor Equipment 1010.630.6300-5309.02 622 - EX Lease - Software 1010.630.6300-5210.00 24,000 - EX Minor Equipment 1010.630.6300-5310.01 360 - EX Utilities - Telephone 1010.630.6300-5200.00 400 - EX Supplies - Office/Printing 1010.630.6300-5304.00 8,000 - EX Travel & Training 1010.630.6300-5303.00 1,500 - EX Publications & Dues 1010.630.6300-5209.00 9,000 - EX Software 1010.630.6300-5209.00 1,000 - EX Software 1010.640.6400-4201.00 164,932 RE Building Permits/Fees Division /Org2 BUDGET AMENDMENT/ADJUSTMENT DESCRIPTION: This budget adjustment reflects the addition of two Planner positions within the Planning - Development Review Division. The adjustment includes salary, benefits, and associated operating expenses for the remainder of the year. Funding in 2026 for the 2 additional FTEs is being provided through recognition of 2026 Building Permit/Fee revenue. COUNCIL DATE: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW (630) ITEM ID#: v.202646 RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE Increase / (Decrease)Project.Sub# CHKD/POSTED: City of Fayetteville, Arkansas - Budget Amendment/Adjustment (Agenda) GLDATE: Budget Division Date Holly Black 4/30/2026 12:49 PM TYPE: JOURNAL #: BA Number 2026 Jonathan Curth H:\Budget Adjustments\2026_Budget\05-19-2026\BA - 2 FTE Addition - Planners 1 of 1 Docusign Envelope ID: A450D45F-4BFE-86EF-8376-A02075E04C33