Mayor Announces Plan to Enhance City Development Services

Mayor Announces Plan to Enhance City Development Services

Published on September 04, 2025

Combining Planning Department with Building and Safety Department designed to increase efficiency and shorten review times

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today said that the proposed merger of the Planning Department with the Building and Safety Department would streamline City government and improve customer service. The combined department would be known as "Planning and Development Services," pending approvals by the City Council in September.

"Building better, stronger, and faster development services is an important strategic priority of my administration," Mayor Gaylor Baird said. "When local government provides efficient and effective service to our development services customers, we build more homes, support new and existing businesses, grow economic opportunity, and save time and money."

The plan for the merger stemmed from an internal assessment conducted in June to improve customer service in both departments, Mayor Gaylor Baird said. The evaluation team studied the responsibilities and organizational structure of the two entities and determined that a merger could provide the following benefits:

• Faster service: Combined departments would expedite more consistent determinations, interpretations, compliance letters, confirmation letters, plan reviews, building reviews and more.
• Consolidated service: Locating planning and building services counter staff together would help applicants get answers and resolve issues easier and faster.
• Improved coordination: Plan and development review staff working together would enhance decision making, improve interdepartmental coordination and provide increased customer service.

Mayor Gaylor Baird also announced David Cary as the Planning and Development Services Director. Cary is currently Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department Director and Interim Building and Safety Department Director.

"Combining our two departments allows us to build a customer service ethos into the work that is already getting accomplished at a high level," Cary said. "Ultimately this supports the growth we want for our community that enhances the quality of life we enjoy."

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird and Director Cary at the news conference were Councilmember Sändra Washington and Rick Vest, Lancaster County Commissioner.

The Lancaster County Personnel Policy Board approved the creation of new assistant director position in August. The Council is expected to consider the creation of the new assistant director position and updates to municipal code regarding the departmental changes later in September. A public hearing regarding the merger and creation of the assistant director position is scheduled for September 22. Council is expected to vote on the merger and assistant director position September 29.

The Planning and Development Services Assistant Director is expected to be hired in October.

Vest said that Lancaster County has a long history of working with both departments through inter-local agreements to ensure that growth and development continue throughout Lancaster County.

"The challenge of serving the citizens and business community of our county will be served by this merger focusing on better customer service. The emphasis on building a customer service orientation moving forward is the type of effort I support and appreciate," Vest said.

Washington said the Planning and Development Services Department will expand the City's capacity to provide enhanced customer service.

"When we streamline development services, we not only improve efficiency, we deliver on commitments, build trust, and instill confidence in our community that local government can and will respond to their needs," Washington said.