MODEL # 97-7 IN-PLANT PROGRAM/TRUST ACCOUNT REGULATORY AREAS: PROBLEM: Lack of adequate government staffing resources to conduct all inspections and high cost to private sector of inspections. SOLUTION: The Intel Corporation and the Building Department formed a "Strategic Engineering Team" to combine their energies in handling regulatory concerns dealing with Intel projects. DESCRIPTION: The Building Department found that it was much more cost effective for them, and preferable to Intel, for a "Strategic Engineering Team" made up of appropriate County plans reviewers and other personnel to meet at Intel to review each project and the County requirements. The Intel staff is familiar with the permit requirements, and holding the review meetings on site has saved time and improved overall compliance with building code requirements. It has been suggested that this type of program is only suited to a larger community, such as Washington County, that has a building department staff of more than 80 personnel. Another important aspect of the program is a permit fee structure that was designed to be fairer to the customer. The fee concept is based more closely on the services rendered by the building department rather than, for example, on the percentages of the value of a piece of equipment being worked on, as was previously done in Washington County. The Fee Schedule is listed on pages three and four of the program submission. Also included in the submission are several flowcharts that help clarify Washington County's permitting process. These can be utilized for most construction projects, not just those with the Intel Corporation. RESULTS: Since its inception four years ago, as a result of the program's success, several other large companies within the jurisdiction have reached similar arrangements with the Building Department. EVALUATION BY STREAMLINING COMMITTEES: The Administration & Enforcement Task Group found providing a service through partnering, owner empowerment, and promotion of trust between the owner and regulator to be the strengths of this program. The Group's overall recommendation is that it would serve as an excellent tool, partnered with Model # 97-6, Private/Public Partnerships to Ensure Building Code Compliance. IMPLEMENTATION: This program is currently in place in Washington County, Oregon. The submitting party reports an implementation cost of between $5,000 and $7,000.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE IN CONSIDERING THE USE OF THIS MODEL, PLEASE CONTACT: Bob Kelly |