City council has approved a budget amendment to provide additional support for building inspections to alleviate the building permit applications backlog.

At Monday evening’s meeting, Coun. Dan Boyd wanted to discuss what message the city is putting out, as it has said this has been an extremely busy year for issuing building permits.

When he pulled up the statistics on building activity, Boyd said, those numbers and the city’s messaging didn’t add up for him. 

“I certainly support adding resources to the building inspections to the permitting department; this year has been a pretty difficult year for the city to issue building permits,” said Boyd. The backlog has heavily impacted the city’s construction industry, he pointed out. 

He suggested the city’s administration review how busy the city and the industry actually are.

City manager Jeff O’Farrell said he disagreed with what Boyd said.

“I don’t think we claimed that this is the busiest building season ever; I think what we said is that ‘this is one of the busiest building seasons,’” said O’Farrell. 

Coun. Ted Laking asked for an update on the number of building permits that have been sent out.

Mike Gau, the city’s development services director, said last week the city had issued another 27 permits, adding officials are in a rhythm that’s as smooth as it’s ever been. 

Laking said he and Boyd met with the Yukon Contractors Association, adding the association understands the challenging situation the city is facing. 

Laking said he has heard some positive feedback and compliments directed at city staff. The association is hoping it can get involved in the review process. 

City administration suggested council amend the 2024-2026 Operating Budget to increase the building inspection allocation by $123,540 for 2024 and $155,682 for the 2025 and 2026 provisional years, funded by the Housing Accelerator Fund and General Reserve.