RFP - Consultant Services for Streamlining Planning Operations and Development Review Processes

The City of Porterville is seeking a consultant to assist in evaluating, modernizing, and streamlining its planning and development review processes. The goal is to improve customer service, reduce processing times, and enhance coordination across departments to better support economic development and the City’s business-friendly improvement strategy. The selected consultant will work closely with the Community Development Department and other City divisions involved in the development review process to identify operational bottlenecks, improve internal and external communication, and develop actionable recommendations that strengthen efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Key tasks include: • Conducting a kickoff meeting with City staff to establish goals, deliverables, and communication protocols • Reviewing existing planning processes, forms, procedures, checklists, and applicable ordinances • Evaluating the organization, staffing, and interdepartmental coordination within Community Development and related departments • Documenting current workflows for planning entitlement, plan review, and permitting functions • Identifying areas of duplication, unnecessary handoffs, and inefficiencies • Mapping customer touchpoints, approval timelines, and communication channels • Evaluating the integration of digital tools • Comparing Porterville’s planning operations and timelines with peer cities of similar size and complexity • Identifying best practices in development review, customer service, and process efficiency • Developing actionable recommendations to streamline planning operations • Providing a phased implementation plan identifying short-, mid-, and long-term actions • Conducting interviews or focus groups with internal and external stakeholders • Preparing a comprehensive final report summarizing findings, analyses, and recommendations • Delivering a clear, actionable implementation roadmap with measurable outcomes and performance indicators • Presenting final recommendations to the City Manager and City Council