Service Level Update Document:

Prepaid (Trust) Account Service Discontinuation

September 1, 2010. In order to maintain the highest level of service possible, we are constantly evaluating the services we provide and making necessary changes to improve timeliness and efficiency.

The Bureau of Development Services (BDS) recently evaluated the Prepaid (Trust) Account payment service utilized by less than 70 of our permitting customers to pay for permits and determined that the service is administratively too costly to maintain. This service allows customers to pre-pay into an account managed by the Bureau's Finance Section to pay for permits applied for by the account holder or representative.

Effective September 30, 2010, BDS will no longer accept payment by Prepaid (Trust) Accounts for any permits issued by the Bureau. Following this date, the Finance Section of the Bureau of Development Services will review all prepaid trust accounts to verify remaining balances. Once the balances are verified, all accounts will be closed and any remaining balances will be refunded to account owners.

A number of Prepaid (Trust) Account holders also utilized the recently discontinued Fax-Back program. Please visit the Bureau's website to view the Service Level Update Document on the Discontinuation of Fax-Back Simple Trade Permit Service.

We appreciate the understanding and patience of our customers and the community while we work through these financial and operational challenges. A complete list of the Bureau's Service Level Updates, including the recent adjustments to services provided in the Development Services Center, is available at www.portlandoregon.gov/bds by clicking on "Services Level Updates".

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ross Caron, BDS Public Information Officer, at ross.caron@portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-4268.