Duluth city leaders say one of the biggest obstacles facing those looking to build or expand on their property is on the way to remedy.

The mayor says obtaining a building permit from the Building Safety Office is noticeably faster and easier than it's been in the recent past.

It's more than 30% faster than last year according to Mayor Don Ness.

A change earlier this year had Deputy Fire Chief Bryan Bushey taking over on - site management of the department, while the former head, Duane Lasley put his efforts toward enforcing stricter building codes.

Lasley's actions were among the number one complaints many builders had.

He has since left the city's employment.

That jump started other reforms within the office.

"The improvements that we've seen down there have come from the employees of that office and they are the ones that should be congratulated for their work," said Mayor Ness.

Among the improvements are automated forms that expedite the process.

They've also made a commitment to better customer service...and a plan to improve on-site building inspections.

Mayor Ness says by giving the employees ownership of the reform process, success was inevitable.

"They know the office they know the operation better than anybody," said Ness.

The city brought in a consultant, Bob Copper of The Plover Group, to help recommend and implement many of the changes.

"Everybody thinks that everything in government is like elephant pregnancies. Everything happens at a very high level and it's 11 months before you see any progress," Copper said.

He says that's an incorrect evaluation.

Copper put together what's referred to as "The Tiger Team,"

"The group came up with a commitment to customers about timeliness accuracy and respect.
Came back from that two and a half day session and made the commitment that they were going to implement those changes in 8 days," Copper said.

Now if you bring in building plans, you will be told when those plans will be reviewed.

So far 99% of the plans have been reviewed on or before the projected time.

"If you come in with minor permits the chances are very good that they can be issued right on the spot at the front counter instead of you having to wait hours or days to get them," said Copper.

Mayor Ness says his administration is committed to complete reform, from the ground up.

The next big project is to install new automation software to allow quicker permit processing and people will then be able to submit plans online.