Owen County shifts building department out of courthouse, advertises for building administrator and HR administrator

Owen County commissioners on Feb. 6 approved immediate operational changes in the county's building department structure, accepted the retirement of the building coordinator and authorized advertisement of two new positions: a building administrator and a human‑resources administrator.

Commissioner Risk told the meeting that Suzanne (Suzanne/Suzette) Zimmerman retired "effective immediately" from the building department and commissioners approved moving the building department out of the courthouse into the adjacent brick building where veterans'services are located. The commissioners said the move is intended to improve public access and reduce traffic inside the courthouse.

The commissioners also instructed that mapping functions be moved back to the auditor's office and that the new building administrator would not be responsible for storage‑unit management or mapping. Sheila, the county auditor, confirmed there was authority to hire and that the mapping work historically originated in the auditor's office.

The board voted to advertise immediately for the building administrator position and to advertise a separate human‑resources administrator post. Commissioner Risk said the county's employees need a dedicated HR officer so staff can raise personnel concerns without going through county legal counsel or the commissioners. He said interviews for the HR role will include commissioners, council members and any department heads who wish to attend.

Why it matters

The changes reorganize local administrative duties: building inspections and permitting will be consolidated under a new building administrator located outside the courthouse, mapping will return to the auditor, and human‑resources responsibilities will be placed in a new, separate office. Commissioners said the intent is to streamline access for contractors and taxpayers and to create a dedicated HR channel for employees.

Key actions and details

- Location change: Motion approved to move the building department from the courthouse to the brick building (voted "aye"). Commissioners said the brick building has a lobby and a front window to make contractor and public interactions easier.

- Mapping and storage units: Mapping duties will be returned to the auditor's office; the building administrator will not manage storage units or mapping, according to the motion. Commissioner Risk said the storage‑unit fund currently contains about $152,779 and that a small maintenance reserve (about $5,200) would remain for repairs and supplies if the county stops using the building department to manage storage units.

- Staffing: The board authorized immediate advertising for a building administrator and for a human‑resources administrator. Commissioners said job descriptions will be revised to reflect the narrower building administrator duties (inspections, permitting) and the HR administrator's duties (employee relations, policy and compliance). Commissioner Risk said he hoped to fill the HR role within 30 to 60 days.

- Driveway permits: The board discussed returning driveway/culvert permitting to the county highway department by ordinance; the chair said the county attorney would draft the ordinance to transfer driveway permitting responsibility back to highway.

Resignation accepted

The meeting later received in writing the resignation of Suzanne Zimmerman as building and mapping coordinator, effective immediately. Commissioners accepted the resignation and asked staff to catalog outstanding permits and ensure an uninterrupted transition. Interim responsibilities were assigned to existing staff while advertising proceeds.

Context and next steps

Commissioners said they will update the job descriptions and advertise the two positions, asking the county council to consider any related pay or funding changes. They told department heads to be prepared to assist with the transition and to bring facility and operational needs (files, office space) to a follow‑up meeting to ensure records and daily services are not interrupted.

Ending

The board described the changes as a short‑term reorganization intended to improve public access to building services and to create a dedicated HR function for county employees. Those interested in applying for the posted positions will see job descriptions and application instructions once they are finalized and posted by the auditor's office.