Building and Safety Enterprise Fund Committee Meeting - April 13, 2026

This meeting marked the final meeting of Chairman Potter, who served on the committee since 2008. Members received updates on the enterprise fund budget, significant development projects, and fire plan review activities. The committee approved the minutes from the October 9, 2025 meeting and set the next meeting for October 8, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting of October 9, 2025 by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Seth Floyd, a city official, provided public comment thanking Chairman Potter for his 18 years of service. He noted that the chairman's commitment to the board set high expectations and said it was "refreshing when someone brings that kind of approach."

Discussion Items

• Enterprise Fund Budget Update (FY26 and FY27): Deputy Community Development Director Michael Cunningham reported that FY26 revenue is projected at $13,488,941 (15% below original projection), expenses at $16,432,496, resulting in a nearly $3 million deficit. The department is holding vacant positions and using consultant contracts to manage costs. A fee study is underway, with a consultant meeting scheduled for the following week; implementation is expected in fall 2026 (missing the July 1 target). Member Tatum inquired about the balance between market-driven revenue shortfalls and fee study adjustments. Cunningham explained that the fee study assumes a normal year with full staffing, and the department manages volatility by adjusting consultant spending and holding positions. He noted that the plan review consultant contract provides flexibility.
• Significant Impact Projects: Cunningham presented a pipeline of projects: 97 projects under $500,000 valuation (total $16.5 million) and 92 projects over $500,000 (total $747.9 million). Notable projects included Area 15 (new bar/restaurant Fuku), English residences (Midtown) with a North Tower permit issued, Share Food Hall, a Home2 Suites in the medical district (130 rooms, 5 floors), Alta at Tonopah (200-unit apartment with retail), a UNLV medical lab building, a 100,000 sq ft facility at Symphony Park ($40 million investment, 388 jobs), and Desert Pines (1,500 housing units, mixed income, with a future east side training center). Cunningham noted that Desert Pines lease transfer is in progress, with demolition expected later this year.
• Fire Plan Review and Inspection Update: David Cross, Fire Plans Review Section Manager, reported a 35% decrease in total reviews completed compared to the previous period, but a 20% increase over the same period last year. The two-week turnaround goal was met 86% of the time (a 7% improvement year-over-year). The inspection division filled a vacant supervisor position and backfilled two inspection positions with trainees. Over the next six months, the division will focus on plan review consistency training and process improvement. Member Tatum praised the effort and asked for more detail; Cross explained the goal is to standardize training and ensure consistent reviews across plan reviewers.
• Future Agenda Topics: Cunningham proposed including an update on the fee study (expected to be near adoption by next meeting), the final FY26 budget, the FY27 budget with any updates, and the project list. The next meeting was set for October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
• Introduction of Acting Building Official: Chairman Potter introduced Jerry, the acting building official, who has 26.5 years with the city. Jerry attended the meeting to observe. Chairman Potter congratulated him on his promotion (though not on the agenda) and noted the high expectations for the role.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the October 9, 2025 meeting minutes.
• Next meeting scheduled for October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
• The fee study implementation is now expected in fall 2026 rather than July 1.
• The committee will continue to monitor the deficit budget and manage staffing through position holds and consultant adjustments.