Here in Tallahassee, the Scott Administration has worked hard to create a pro-growth environment that allows businesses to get to work doing what they do best: creating jobs and prosperity for Florida families. One way we’ve done that is by cutting permitting times. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has reduced permitting time in 2013 to 33 days from an average of 79 days in 2012. On average, for all applications approved by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, which regulates the financial services industry of Florida, the days to approve a license decreased from 22 days in fiscal year 2011-2012 to five days in fiscal year 2012-2013. The Florida Department of Transportation is in the process of developing an electronic one-stop permitting system, in an effort to decrease permitting wait time and reduce overall costs for contractors and consultants. But, of course, all businesses are located in communities, and must obtain municipal and county permits, as well. If local governments fail to adopt the same pro-growth, streamlined approach as Tallahassee, our economy will never recover as quickly as it could. DEO is pleased to highlight those local governments that understand how policy affects the economy and that have taken positive action in recent years. One such locality is Bonita Springs.
The City of Bonita Springs has worked diligently with municipal departments to develop a comprehensive and coordinated permit and plans review process to facilitate the timely issuance of building permits, development orders, and other land use permits. The “one stop shop” permitting office is where applicants can submit building permits and land use applications to initiate the review process, ask questions, and gain the necessary information to successfully complete the application process in a timely and efficient manner.
The City of Bonita Springs is located in Southwest Florida, strategically nestled between the cities of Ft. Myers and Naples. When the City incorporated in 1999, it adopted a “Government Lite” philosophy, hiring a small staff to manage most of the City’s services. They continue that process today, with only 50 full time employees to manage services for a population of approximately 46,000 full time residents, which increases to 80,000 during tourism season.