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Building official seeks intergovernmental agreement to share inspection capacity with state building codes division
Summary
Building official Jonathan Balkema told council the proposed DCBS intergovernmental agreement (building evaluation services) would let Albany request or provide inspection assistance with other jurisdictions, and staff said the typical billable rate under item C is $85 an hour; staff will bring the agreement back to council for formal action.
Jonathan Balkema, Albany building official, presented a proposed intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) Building Codes Division that would allow jurisdictions to request technical assistance and share inspection capacity.
Balkema described the agreement as a "take it or leave it" package from DCBS that sets standardized payment terms and hourly rates for provided services. He told the council the primary rate Albany would use is the item C rate of $85 per hour, which aligns with the city’s expected billable hour rates for contracted inspections.
The nut graf: The DCBS IGA is intended to supplement the city’s existing approach to filling inspection gaps, including third‑party contractors and mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions; the agreement formalizes a statewide pool for building evaluation services while not precluding separate agreements with specific counties or firms.
Balkema said the agreement creates limited upside revenue if Albany provides services to other jurisdictions when it has capacity, and no immediate budgetary impact because contractual funds are already budgeted for contract inspection services. Councilors welcomed the additional shared resource, noting many smaller jurisdictions lack a dedicated building official and that shared services can save costs.
Staff said they will return the agreement for council action at the regular meeting on Feb. 12.
