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Pasco staff recommends continued contract with Northwest Code Professionals for plan review and inspections
Summary
City staff briefed the council on a recommended contract for building plan review and inspection services with Northwest Code Professionals following a competitive RFP. Council members supported the selection and discussed trimming permit requirements to reduce workload.
The Pasco City Council received a briefing on a recommended professional services agreement with Northwest Code Professionals to provide building-plan review and inspection services after a competitive RFP process.
Deputy Community and Economic Development Director Craig Raymond summarized why the city uses outside contractors for plan review and inspections: development demand fluctuates, large projects can cause spikes in plan-review workload, and outside reviewers help keep permits moving. He said the city issued an RFP in October, a review committee evaluated proposals in November and recommended Northwest Code Professionals (formerly Building Department, Inc.) based on experience, fees, and approach.
Raymond outlined the range of code inspections these contracts cover — foundations, structural framing, plumbing, mechanical systems, fire- and life-safety elements and specialty inspections such as factory-assembled structures. He also listed permit types the city could consider removing to reduce workload, including fence permits under six feet, small sheds under 200 square feet, small decks under 200 square feet and some residential roof or siding permits — but said some inspections (water heaters, mechanical systems, propane tanks, and certain solar and electrical elements) should remain because of safety and state inspection roles. Raymond noted that Labor and Industries handles electrical inspections in the city limits.
Council members broadly supported the recommended vendor and the idea of reviewing low-risk permits to reduce staff workload. Councilman Morales praised the firm and its principal, saying, "Jack Applegate is a pillar in the building code community," and other council members said outsourcing hourly plan-review work is efficient when internal staff capacity fluctuates. Staff asked council members to email any specific permit types they want the department to evaluate for elimination or modification so staff can return with an implementation plan.
No formal contract award was taken at the meeting; staff said the recommendation will move forward through the normal approval process.
