Let me begin by wishing everyone a happy, healthy and fruitful new year. In looking back on 2019, DPS has undergone some notable shifts in leadership welcoming a new County Executive and new DPS leadership. As part of County Executive Marc Elrich’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment for local businesses, he has asked county departments to “Turn the Curve” and improve on various areas of services. DPS has remained on the forefront as the first department to have their “Turn the Curve” initiative approved by the CE’s office. We are working diligently to communicate the DPS business friendly environment, as well as working to attract a new generation of workers to the building industry.
DPS advances and the expansion of eServices offer time and income savings to businesses both large and small. Multiple trips for permit applications and revisions can now be done remotely. Customers can track their permits online and find valuable information on properties and projects throughout the county.
Our success is founded on our ability to process building applications and to deliver permits and licenses that ensure a safely built community, all while providing customer service to everyone from homeowners to large businesses. These goals are the outcomes which will guide us in the long run.
This year I am particularly proud of our DPS staff and their ability to weather changes in staff and leadership as we look forward to the changes coming in 2020. While the pool of building professionals is shrinking many of our DPS employees are retiring – making it difficult to hire new team members. DPS will also be moving their offices from Rockville to Wheaton in mid to end of 2020. The new year will ring in a new set of building codes as the County Executive is set to sign the legislation effective in January. These new codes will continue to make Montgomery County a greener built community.
In conclusion, as DPS is home to the County’s First Preventors, the stewards of safety of our built community, we look forward to 2020 to shepherd in new building codes, better customer service, expansion of our electronic services and opportunities for a new generation of building professionals.
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