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Commissioners oppose loosening state requirement that electrical inspectors be licensed electricians
Summary
Lake County commissioners reviewed a proposal to allow non‑licensed inspectors in small counties and largely opposed it, saying electrical inspections carry liability and should remain with qualified, licensed electricians.
Commissioners discussed a proposal reported by a county manager from a rural county that would allow local governments to employ electrical inspectors who are not licensed electricians. The speaker said the state currently requires electrical inspectors to be licensed electricians and described the proposed change as a bad idea.
Why it matters: electrical safety is a public‑safety and liability issue, and some smaller counties say they struggle to recruit certified inspectors. Proponents of flexibility argued counties without local certified inspectors should be allowed to hire alternative inspectors; opponents responded that electricians and plumbers require licensing to protect safety and that local inspectors should meet high qualifications.
Board members expressed mixed views. One participant said smaller counties that lack master electricians on staff support flexibility; another said requiring master electricians for local inspectors is the right approach and compared the need for master plumbers as well. No formal position was adopted; a few commissioners said they would not vote for loosening the licensure requirement, while others signaled sympathy for smaller counties’ staffing challenges.
Ending: Commissioners signaled they would include an inspector‑licensing position among the CCI items they consider, and some expressed support for keeping the current licensure requirement in place.
