HomeMy WebLinkAbout111325 - Fwd_ Question about appointment calendarALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hello Commissioners'
We are missing the mark'
We would appreciate anything you can do - to make Jefferson Co DCD open the appointment calendar for new development projects.
It hurts long term contractors, when we have to wait - for an appointment to submit new development projects!
This is taking away business to companies that support our community!
It is not acceptable to have to wait 2 weeks to submit a new development project, because Jefferson CO - requires intake appointments unlike any other jurisdiction!
We appreciate your attention to this matter
Sincerely
Sally L Ellis
Permit Runner
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chelsea Pronovost <CPronovost@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:CPronovost@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Date: Thu, Nov 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Subject: RE: Question about appointment calendar
To: Sally Ellis <olympicpermitsolutions@gmail.com <mailto:olympicpermitsolutions@gmail.com> >, Gabriel R. Shepherd <GrShepherd@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:GrShepherd@co.jefferson.wa.us>
>, Erin Martin <EPMartin@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:EPMartin@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
CC: lizanne coker <jchba@live.com <mailto:jchba@live.com> >, jeffbocc <jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Hi Sally,
Thank you for reaching out with your questions.
Our permit intake calendar is currently booked out a little more than two weeks, and the first available appointment is showing in early December. This is typical for this time of year
and is influenced by November holiday closures. Because the County is closed on multiple days in November, no intake appointments can be offered on those dates, which makes the calendar
appear more limited even though staffing levels have not changed. This will also happen towards the end of December/beginning of January.
To answer your question about staffing: we currently have two Permit Technicians who are trained to complete permit application intakes, and they regularly cover for one another when
one is unavailable. No staff are on extended leave at this time. Even with both technicians supporting intakes, the seasonal workload combined with the reduced number of open days in
November means our current appointment schedule is the most we can offer while still ensuring accurate processing for all applicants.
Regarding your suggestion about adding additional intake slots, we are not expanding the schedule at this time. It’s also important to note that the timing of an intake appointment does
not change the position of a project in the review queue. Once an application is submitted, it is reviewed in order alongside all other applications. Submitting earlier does not move
a project ahead in the line, so an earlier intake would not accelerate processing or decision-making.
We recognize that other jurisdictions accept electronic submittals, and our long-term plan is the same. We are actively working toward full permit-portal submittal for new development
projects. While we do not yet have a confirmed implementation date, this remains a department (and County) priority, and updates will be shared publicly as milestones are reached. Until
the portal can support full plan and document intake, we need to continue using scheduled appointments to ensure completeness and accuracy at the front end.
We appreciate your understanding and your continued partnership with DCD.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Chelsea Pronovost
(she/her)
Administrative Services Manager
Jefferson County Department of Community Development (DCD <https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/260/Community-Development> )
360-379-4494
Note: email subject to disclosure per Public Records Act, RCW 42.56
From: Sally Ellis <olympicpermitsolutions@gmail.com <mailto:olympicpermitsolutions@gmail.com> >
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2025 12:19 PM
To: Gabriel R. Shepherd <GrShepherd@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:GrShepherd@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; Erin Martin <EPMartin@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:EPMartin@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; Chelsea
Pronovost <CPronovost@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:CPronovost@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Cc: lizanne coker <jchba@live.com <mailto:jchba@live.com> >; jeffbocc <jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Subject: Question about appointment calendar
ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hello Gabriel, Erin and Chelsea
I am reaching out to you for a couple of things-
Is someone taking vacation? I only ask because the appointment calendar for new development projects is booked out over 2 weeks.
It looks like the first available appointment is December 2nd?
If your office is having a huge surge in building permit intakes at the moment- Do you have a back up plan for a second employee to take in building permits?
In previous years, if there were no appointments available, previous management would make a second employee at Jefferson Co DCD take in building permits so Citizens, contractors, designers
did not have to wait to submit new development projects?
Does Jefferson Co DCD currently have any type of plan to support the Permit Technician and open up more intake appointments on your calendar? Or move to electric submittal via the permit
portal?
Last question- What is the County's future plan for opening up the permit portal and allowing citizens to submit via the permit portal, vs. having to make an appointment in office
to submit said new development project?
Currently Jefferson Co DCD is the only office that makes citizens have an appointment to submit a new development project- Clallam Co., Kitsap, City of PT, City of Sequim- none of
them make you have an appointment to submit a new development project. They all utilize the permit portal, and make us apply via the permit portal? What is Jefferson Co DCD's future
plan?
Is there any way I can get in to submit a new development project before 12/2/2025?
I thank you all for your help and thank you in advance for your assistance and for sharing information on what Jefferson Co DCD future plan is, and when the permit portal will allow
us to submit via the new permit portal vs. having to make an appointment to submit new development projects?
Thank you for your time and thank you in advance for sharing what Jefferson Co DCD current timeline is for the new permit portal to be up and running completely and allow citizens to
apply via the permit portal, vs having to make an appointment to submit.
Respectfully
--
Sally Ellis
Permit Consultant/Permit Runner
(360) 531-3374
olympicpermitsolutions@gmail.com <mailto:olympicpermitsolutions@gmail.com>