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County building department reports inspection cost savings, plans vehicle replacement and staff training
Summary
County staff reported a sharp drop in external inspection and plan-review expenses since bringing work in-house, presented April workload numbers, said they will purchase a $39,776 Ford Ranger from an existing capital line item, and noted the new building official will attend state licensing classes next month; the board agreed to add the vehicle
County building staff reported lower inspection and plan-review costs after moving work in-house, proposed buying a replacement pickup truck from a budgeted capital line item and outlined upcoming staff training for state licensing.
A building official summarized monthly financials showing the department spent about $124,109 on inspections, plan reviews and fixed costs over the six-month period from October through March—an average near $21,000 per month—but that April spending dropped to about $2,900 because residual payments were lower. "If things continue and we've had this conversation, what if the lid blows off this thing? Then we'll probably have to institute some help. But right now, we're able to handle everything in house with no extra help," the official said, noting April had 36 new submittals, 239 permits issued and 221 inspections completed.
The building staff told the board they are tracking private-provider inspections (which reduce county revenue because private providers perform work outside the county fee receipts) and that private providers accounted for roughly $27,000 of work in the October–March period. Staff said they will monitor workload and bring additional staffing proposals if demand increases.
Separately, staff requested permission to purchase a new Ford Ranger 4x4 crew cab for $39,776 from an existing $45,000 capital allocation for vehicles. The board agreed to add the truck purchase to the consent agenda. Commissioners asked about disposition of the old truck; staff said public works will likely reassign it where appropriate.
Staff also reported that Charles, the county’s new building official, will attend state-required training next month and then be eligible to test for state fire marshal/inspector credentials that will expand the department’s in-house inspection capacity. Staff said the department will arrange temporary coverage to keep inspections current while Charles is in training.
No action beyond adding the vehicle purchase to the consent agenda and continuing to monitor inspection workload was recorded in the workshop transcript.
