Melbourne Beach names CAP Government primary building-official contractor; JPI retained as backup

The Melbourne Beach Town Commission voted unanimously to authorize the town attorney to contract with CAP Government as the town’s primary provider of building‑official services and to contract with JPI as a secondary provider for continuity, a motion approved 5-0.

The action followed a special meeting in which three firms were shortlisted after one respondent withdrew; representatives from CAP and JPI presented details of how they would staff and run the town’s building‑services program and answered commissioners’ questions about software, billing, inspections and emergency response. The commission directed staff and the town attorney to prepare contracts with the top two ranked firms, with CAP named primary and JPI the backup.

The votes came after extended presentations and discussion. Judson Delaney, identified in the meeting as operations director for CAP Government, described CAP’s model as a tailored, hourly service and said, “We only charge the hours that we’re actually working in the city.” Delaney said CAP can adapt to a town that wants a full‑time building official or only occasional on‑site coverage, that CAP does not charge travel time and that its GeoCivic plan‑review software can be used for electronic plan review or it will adapt to a municipality’s existing system.

Joe Payne, an engineer representing JPI, said JPI relies on customers’ platforms rather than a proprietary system and highlighted local staffing and multi‑discipline personnel. Payne described one pricing option his firm offers — taking a percentage of building fees as the method of compensation — and said JPI maintains overnight plan‑review capacity and local inspectors.

Commissioners questioned the firms about turnaround times, virtual inspections, documentation and site‑compliance checks such as silt‑fence inspections and stop‑work enforcement. CAP said inspections are typically dispatched within 24 hours and that its inspectors log permit numbers, GPS or time records and provide invoice backup; CAP staff said they can perform virtual inspections (sometimes using WhatsApp or FaceTime) but prefer in‑person checks for significant work. JPI said it maintains a roster of licensed multi‑trade staff and can provide similar services, including public‑works/site inspections.

The commission also discussed fee sheets included in proposers’ packets. Commissioners noted a roughly $20‑per‑hour difference between the two firms’ listed building‑official hourly rates and asked staff to ensure the contracts specify billing detail and required invoice backup. Town staff confirmed the RFQ requested pricing after initial qualifications and that the third respondent did not appear at the meeting.

The commission set next steps that include directing the town attorney to prepare contracts for CAP and JPI and scheduling a special commission meeting for Monday, Sept. 29, at 5:30 p.m. to finalize administrative items; the commission also agreed to cancel a planned October 4 workshop. No contract was signed at the meeting; the attorney will finalize terms and return them to the commission. The vote on the contract authorization was 5-0 (Mayor Allison Dennington, Vice Mayor Don Barlow, Commissioner Robert Baldwin, Commissioner Anna Butler and Commissioner Tim Reed all voting yes).

Why it matters: the provider selected will handle plan review, inspections, permit administration and enforcement tasks that directly affect residents, contractors and the town’s compliance with state building code, stormwater (MS4) and post‑storm damage assessment obligations. The commission emphasized documentation, local availability and clear billing as priorities for the next contract.