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# Readers weigh in on improving customer service at Santa Monica City Hall
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/092303-story/
- Published: 2003-09-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:59:04.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import

It’s no secret that Santa Monica residents aren’t satisfied when it comes to customer service in City Hall — especially in the planning department. The department has been criticized for being overly bureaucratic and taking too long in approving building permits, business licenses and other vital elements that allow merchants to set up shop here.

Both the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the Planning Commission are doing separate audits of the department’s operations, particularly now that fees have increased. In addition to listening to the advice of expensive consultants, perhaps city officials will listen to its residents...

This week, Q-Line wants to know, “What should be done, if anything, to improve customer service in City Hall?”

Call (310) 285-8106 with your response before Thursday at 5 p.m. We’ll print them in Friday’s paper. Please limit your comments to a minute or less. It might help to think first about the wording of your response.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 23, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092303.pdf?ref=smdp.com)