Hall County is combining departments to produce more efficient processes for development-related needs.
Hall County’s Planning and Development department and Public Works and Utilities department are being integrated to create the new Community Development and Infrastructure (CDI) department in an effort to streamline the development process.
“This integration is bringing divisions, such as building inspections, engineering, and planning and zoning that play critical roles in land use and development matters, together providing a single department for the most efficient service delivery model for development in Hall County,” said new CDI Director Srikanth Yamala.
Yamala has served Hall County since 2005 as a Transportation Planner, Transportation Manager, Planning and Development Director, and most recently as the Director of Public Works and Utilities, and is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Georgia.
“Srikanth understands the functions of both departments, and we feel confident he is the best choice to centralize the development process and create seamless workflows for the new department,” said Hall County Administrator Zach Propes.
Yamala’s former role as director of Public Works and Utilities is being assumed by Bill Nash, who has served as the assistant director of Public Works and Utilities since 2020, while Randi Doveton will continue to serve as the director of Planning and Development.
The integration plan includes cross-training staff, improving processes to streamline efficiencies, reducing turnaround times for permits and completing renovations to the third floor of the Government Center to create a customer service-oriented community development center.
“This integration will help centralize the interactions associated with the development process while also addressing several areas of the Strategic Plan, including enhancing the county’s infrastructure and preserving residents’ quality of life by combining two departments that contribute heavily to those objectives,” said Propes.
The change officially went into effect on Wednesday, Mar. 1, with new measurable goals and objectives being introduced over the next several months to produce the most effective results in service to citizens.