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Court questions proposed electrical-inspector contract wording, asks staff to reword
Summary
A submitted electrical inspector contract was criticized for language that could imply county employment of the inspector. The court declined to sign the contract and directed staff to draft a version that clearly states inspectors are not county employees.
Members of the Nicholas County Fiscal Court reviewed a proposed contract for electrical inspection services and raised concerns about language in the document that, as written, could imply the county would be employing the inspector.
Gary Crawford Jr. was recorded as the person who submitted the contract. A court member read language from the document describing county authority "to regulate the installation and operation of electrical wiring, appliances, apparatus, and devices" and stating the county is "empowered to enforce its regulations by and through the employment of a certified electrical inspector." That wording prompted concern that the contract as drafted would make the inspector appear to be a county employee rather than an independent inspector providing services under private payment.
Court members said they would be willing to grant a certified inspector permission to operate in the county but not to adopt contract language that creates an apparent exclusive county employment relationship. The court directed staff to draft or reword a motion or contract that clarifies the inspector is not an employee of the county and to bring that language back for consideration. No contract was signed during the meeting.
Why it matters: Clarifying whether a contract creates employer/employee status affects liability, procurement rules and county responsibilities. The court's direction preserves flexibility to allow certified inspectors to operate without creating undisclosed employment obligations.
The court's next step is for staff to prepare revised contract language or a nonexclusive authorization that explicitly states inspectors are not county employees before the court considers any formal approval.
