By Bill Short
The Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen has unanimously approved an agreement with Shelby County for use of a computer software system in Construction Code enforcement.
Board members took the action during their June 8 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by Alderman Jon Crisp and seconded by Alderman Don Lowry.
In May 2015, the city approved an agreement with the Memphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement for most construction and zoning compliance. At that time, other municipalities in the county had separate agreements.
The Construction Code Enforcement Office is a part of the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development.
The DPD has contracted for creation of the Accela Program. It contains a “significant variety” of digital information and computer software used in the daily operation of DPD departments, including permit issuance and inspections.
Along with Memphis and the county, Arlington, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington and Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division will be using this system. Millington Finance Director John Trusty said all the users have been asked to enter into a Cooperative Agreement covering the use of the Accela software system, including related operational and financial conditions.
“Because they’re going to an automated system,” he noted, “a lot of the permitting and review process will be done online. They want to have one master agreement with all of us.”
Trusty said Millington will receive licenses for two users on the new system at no cost to the city. He expects that one will be used by the fire marshal and the other by City Hall.
“The process will probably make it easier for everybody to acquire permits and to schedule appointments for inspections,” he noted.
Other than the “mechanics” of the computer system, Trusty said, the terms are basically the same as in the original agreement.
Alderman Mike Caruthers asked if there will be any change in the fees.
“I can’t tell you that Shelby County won’t change fees in the future,” Trusty replied. “We’re not changing the fees.”
