Buffalo Grove considers $240K software purchase to reduce red tape

Buffalo Grove officials hope new software for the community development department will make things easier for residents by streamlining the process to seek village services such as inspections and permits.

Village trustees hope it will be worth the $240,000 cost.

The software, which would roll out at the end of 2020 if its purchase wins final board approval, would automate some work that today is done manually, and even reduce traffic at the front desk, development department staff says. The current process to obtain a village licenses, for example, is cumbersome, said Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling.

"People have to physically write a piece of paper, mail it in to us," he said. "Somebody has to open up that envelope, take that check."

Permits often gather dust waiting to be scanned, Stilling added.

Village Manager Dane Bragg said that with same-day permits, such as for heating and air conditioning work, the village process requires an applicant to visit village hall.

"Let's say you're a plumbing contractor and you're replacing a water heater and you've got one person to be on that job, they may not necessarily have time to send another person down here to get the permit to get the work done," he said.

By automating many of these processes, he said, a contractor can obtain a permit online, schedule an inspection at the same time and get the job done on time.

Trustee Eric Smith said the new software could help small businesses. Smith, who is a chiropractor, said the landlord of his strip center is having trouble getting a restaurant into the complex because of red tape with the village.

Trustee Andrew Stein added: "This is a lot of money, but if it improves efficiencies and makes things better, I can support it."

Trustee Gregory Pike, however, pointed to the need to reduce expenses.

"We keep adding stuff, and at some point we need to cut something. If not, our expenses keep going up," he said.