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Permits Plus is the City’s Government Automation Software for all types of permits. The City started using Permits Plus in 1999 with Code Compliance inspections and complaints, and business licenses and billings. As the City Manager has said in the past, “It is one of the most important functions the City performs. “
It has been a slow process getting the rest of the building division on board with all the departmental staff changes. We had to make sure the ordinances were correct in the system and that staff actually understood the ordinances themselves. However, it finally came about last summer. Permits Plus has grown to various types of permits. These include business licenses, contractor licenses, liquor licenses, and trade licenses. Also building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, pool and spa, land disturbance, access (curbs, driveways and sidewalks), health, tree planting, hauling, and miscellaneous permits. Along with licenses and permits, departments are able to keep track of different types of inspections and complaints from citizens. Inspections include ones from the Fire Department, Code Compliance, Demolitions and Building Regulations. You will also find Planning and Zoning Applications and liens on properties.
Images can also be stored in the system for various purposes, mostly complaints that are called in. Business licenses are easily accounted for as we are able to track to see if a business is up to date with their current license. A new development is able to be put into the system and be broken down into projects, and then different activities related to that project are able to be tracked. These are just a few examples that Permits Plus will do.
Permits Plus is a “tool” that is allowing departments to come together, communicate better, and work together in solving problems within the City. Permits Plus cannot solve all the problems, but gives us a good place to start looking at what is going on with different areas around the city. Permits Plus also allows for a more timely response for us to respond back to citizens on various issues. In the long run, this will make St. Joseph a better place to live.