Development and Environmental Services

Follow-up on Implementation of Recommendations from 2008 Performance Audit of Code Enforcement (2009)
Rob McGowan, Larry Brubaker

The management letter provides the results of our follow-up review of the 2008 Code Enforcement performance audit. The audit evaluated whether code enforcement management, policies, procedures, and practices promoted consistency, transparency, and accountability. Released November 23, 2009.

Management Letter (233 KB)

Performance Audit Code Enforcement (2008)
Rob McGowan, Cindy Drake, Jan Lee

The report evaluates whether current code enforcement management, policies, procedures, and practices promote consistency, transparency, and accountability. In addition, the audit analyzed Code Enforcement’s compliance with laws, regulations, and procedures; its prioritization, investigation, and tracking of cases; and its communications with property owners. Presented to Committee of the Whole on October 20, 2008.

Report in pdf Format (782 KB) One-page Summary (29 KB)

DDES Performance Monitoring (2005)
Bob Thomas

The management letter reviews DDES’s quarterly performance report including implementation of audit recommendations from the King County Auditor's 2004 Performance Audit of DDES Workload and Staffing. Issued December 12, 2005.

Management Letter (33 KB)

DDES Workload and Staffing (2004)
Nancy McDaniel, Bob Thomas, Jan Lee

The performance audit reviewed the methodology that DDES uses to forecast workload staffing levels to determine if the department is providing services efficiently and economically. Presented September 28, 2004.

Report in pdf Format (339 KB)

DDES Permitting Best Practices Review (2004)
Valerie Whitener, Nancy McDaniel, Jan Lee

Reviewed and identified best practices of public permit administration. Issued March 2, 2004.

Report in pdf Format (474 KB)

DDES Billing Practices (2002)
Nancy McDaniel, Bert Golla

Reviewed new permit review standards developed by the Department of Development and Environmental Services.

Management Letter (284 KB)

Grading Enforcement at Palmer Junction Gravel Pit (2001)
Nancy McDaniel, Jan Lee

The audit reviewed and evaluated DDES grading enforcement of permit conditions at the Palmer Junction Pit. Presented September 11, 2001.

Report in PDF Format  (1,172KB) Report Summary

School Impact Fees (2000)
Bert Golla

The study reviewed a sample of school districts' reported estimates of construction and land costs to determine whether they are reasonably stated and consistent with their CIPs, and determined whether the county has an adequate system for evaluating information provided. Presented October 3, 2000.

Report in PDF Format (82.2KB) Report Appendices (1.18KB) Report Summary

King County Permit Processes and Practices (2000)
Susan Baugh

The audit evaluated DDES management review of permit approval for single family homes, permit backlogs, permit issuance delays, and DDES responses to public disclosure requests. Presented October 3, 2000.

Report in PDF Format (733KB) Report Summary

Fire Marshal Study (1998)
Paul Walker

The study reviewed the fees charged by the Fire Marshal's Office for hazardous materials (Hazmat) inspections. Issued December 23, 1998.

Report Summary

Permit Fee Waivers (1997)
Harriet Richardson, Tony McDowell

The audit reviewed policies, procedures, and practices related to DDES waiver of permit fees. Presented May 13, 1997.

Report Summary

1990 Code Enforcement Audit Follow-Up (1996)
Kristi Nelson, Elva Dong

The audit evaluated the code enforcement function to determine the effectiveness of enforcement services, and whether the 1990 Code Enforcement Program audit recommendations had been implemented.

Report Summary

Accounts Receivable (1994)
Paul Walker, Makoto (Mac) Fletcher

The audit reviewed the accounting and internal control policies, procedures, and practices relating to the collection, recording, and reporting of DDES permit fees and related accounts receivable.

Report Summary

Fire Marshal's Office Fire Investigation Unit (1994)
Bobby Buyco

This special study reviewed the organizational location of the Fire Investigation Unit to determine whether it promoted an efficient and effective fire investigation function.

Report Summary

Reduction-In-Force Process (1994)
Harriet Richardson

This special study evaluated whether layoffs were implemented according to applicable rules and regulations, and whether improvements could be made to procedures for future layoffs.

Report Summary

Field Inspection Function (1993)
Harriet Richardson, Kristi Nelson, Catherine Cornwall, Ivy Teng

The audit evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of inspections performed by the residential and land use site inspectors including inspector productivity, complaints received, and the issuance of change orders.

Report Summary

Collection of Civil Penalties and Recovery of Abatement Costs (1993)
Bert Golla, Paul Walker, Makoto (Mac) Fletcher

The audit evaluated certain procedures and practices regarding accounting, billing, and collection of civil penalties and abatement costs. The audit also assessed the likelihood of collecting outstanding civil penalties and recovering unpaid abatement costs.

Report Summary

Certificate of Occupancy Process (1993)
Susan Baugh, Nancy McDaniel, Ivy Teng

The audit determined whether commercial building projects were appropriately certified for occupancy by DDES commercial inspectors, and whether certificate of occupancy process fees were collected to maximize department revenues.

Report Summary

Assigned Vehicles (1993)
Bobby Buyco, Don Eklund

The audit determined whether vehicles were managed to meet employee work-related transportation needs and to minimize vehicle expenditures.

Report Summary

SEPA Revenues and Accounts Receivable (1992)
Paul Walker, Makoto (Mac) Fletcher, Bert Golla

The audit evaluated the effectiveness of the Environmental Division's system of accounting controls related to State Environmental Policy Act revenues and accounts receivable.

Report Summary

Building and Land Development Financial Guarantee Administration (1992)
Kristi Nelson, Harriet Richardson, Catherine Cornwall, Ivy Teng

The audit determined whether the County's practices related to accepting bonds (financial guarantees) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of capital improvements complied with statutory mandates, and whether those practices assured that guaranteed capital improvements were completed in accordance with County standards.

Report Summary

Sierra PERMITS Automation System (1992)
Kristi Nelson, Harriet Richardson, Catherine Cornwall, Ivy Teng

The audit evaluated the effectiveness of the automated permitting system of the Building and Land Development Division in meeting initial system objectives for trading building and land development permits, and in providing needed budget and management information.

Report Summary