3 Things Municipalities Can Implement in 30 Days To Avoid Budget Cuts

With rising costs for fuel, supplies, and utilities, cities and counties across the country are facing real budget pressures. Inflation is stretching general funds thin, forcing tough choices to keep essential community services running.

But there's good news: your municipality can take immediate action. Here are three proven solutions you can implement within the next 30 days to help protect your budget while maintaining — or even improving — your level of service.

Electronic Plan Review: your first step toward efficiency

Electronic Plan Review (EPR) can transform your operations in just a few weeks, helping you process more plan reviews without increasing staff. This digital solution eliminates paper-based processes while dramatically speeding up review times. When multiple reviewers can work on plans at the same time, you'll clear backlogs faster and keep projects moving forward.

These benefits go straight to your bottom line. Communities using EPR report consistent revenue streams thanks to faster processing times and reduced operational costs. Plus, developers and residents appreciate the improved accessibility and real-time project tracking. 

Remote Video Inspections: safe, swift, and cost-effective

Remote Video Inspections (RVI) can be up and running in less than a month, helping you tackle more inspections without expanding your team. Using standard mobile devices, your staff can efficiently inspect everything from residential additions to electrical reconnects. The technology is simple — no special apps or downloads required.

Just ask Hampshire, Illinois. After implementing RVI, they went from struggling with scheduling delays to offering next-day inspections within two-hour windows. Not only did this reduce costs, but it also cut down on complaints while speeding up project approvals. The result? Faster revenue collection and happier residents.

Online building permits: streamlined solutions for modern needs

Modern permitting shouldn't be tied to paper processes and office hours. Purpose-built platforms like CommunityCore and Gov-Easy transform traditional permit processing into a streamlined digital workflow in just weeks. These secure, user-friendly systems do more than cut costs — they give your staff and residents 24/7 access to submit, track, and process permits.

The Town of Superior, Colorado, saw firsthand how powerful digital permitting can be. When the Marshall Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in December 2021, their CommunityCore system allowed them to begin issuing permits within 48 hours of the disaster, even from remote locations. This quick response helped jumpstart their community's recovery efforts when time mattered most.

Taking action today

Your path to a stronger budget starts with a single step. Choose any of these proven solutions — EPR, RVI, or online permitting — and within 30 days, you could be saving money while delivering better service to your community.

Ready to see how these solutions can work for you? Our technology experts will help you find the right fit for your municipality. Contact us today to get started.