Council discusses budget pressures; committee recommends pursuing full-time building inspector

City finance staff reported to the City Council that general fund spending was near 50.3% of the budget at midyear and that two areas are being monitored closely: police overtime and inspections staffing costs. Staff said the police patrol overtime line was nearly fully consumed midyear, driven in part by training reimbursements and grant-funded enforcement initiatives. On inspections, staff said permit activity and revenue are up from last year and part-time inspectors have been working more hours than anticipated. "The committee agreed last week that we should be pursuing, if we can, a full time building inspector position," a city staff member said, citing a recent repair order and increased permit demand. Staff said part-time inspector Craig Freilich has been averaging roughly 60 hours per two-week pay period (about 75% of full-time) and that Jane Draeger is available for reduced hours. The finance committee scheduled further discussion and asked staff to explore options including cost-sharing with neighboring municipalities and the fiscal impact of converting part-time hours to a full-time position. Staff estimated a study or certification process for commercial inspection resources could take up to 12 months to complete. Next steps: the committee will meet to refine costs and options and staff will return with budget scenarios and potential intergovernmental sharing arrangements for the proposed full-time position.