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Council hires Beacon Code for building services, moves to dissolve in-house chief building inspector role
Summary
Washington Terrace approved a contract with Beacon Code Consultants for plan review and inspection services, and unanimously dissolved the city’s Chief Building Inspector position; council discussed licensing, billing, records access and training responsibilities.
Washington Terrace City Council voted unanimously on July 1 to approve Resolution 25-15 contracting with Beacon Code Consultants for plan review, inspection and building official services, and then approved a separate motion to dissolve the city’s Chief Building Inspector/Planner position.
Tom (staff member) explained the recommendation: the city has been using Tyler (building official) as a part-time employee and proposes contracting with Tyler’s firm, Beacon Code, to expand capacity, provide flexibility in inspections, and retain continuity without a direct employee. "Beacon has been working for many years...They have a really good track record," Tom said, adding that Beacon’s hourly billing is competitive and that the city would not pay per-incident bulk fees but hourly rates tied to time worked.
Council members asked about financial impacts, severability of the contract, licensure, training and records. Cheryl (council member) raised an ethical concern about awarding a contract to a local individual who previously served the city; she asked whether the city had sufficient justification to forgo a competitive process. Tom responded that the city's purchasing policy allows direct selection for specialized professional services when unique qualifications or continuity of service are factors. The staff report cited that policy and stated Beacon Code meets both criteria. The council discussed that Tyler holds required licensure and that his firm will be responsible for continuing education of its staff; staff said the city would not pay for contractor training.
On operational details, staff told the council that inspections are to be completed within the three business days required by state law (preferably the next business day) and that the CityInspect records system will remain the city's property and be accessible to city staff. Tom said most plan review and records work is digital and that owning and protecting the records "in perpetuity" is essential.
Councilmember questions about billing practices and whether hourly billing could grow costly were addressed by staff: Tyler currently was paid hourly as a part-time employee and the overall cost to the city was expected to be comparable to the current arrangement, with some administrative savings because the firm carries employer-side taxes and benefits. The council then voted to approve Resolution 25-15 by roll call and subsequently voted to dissolve the Chief Building Inspector/Planner position; both measures passed unanimously.
Staff said the contract and organizational change will allow the city to expand inspection capacity and maintain licensing coverage for specialized commercial inspections; any further procedural items or clerical corrections in the contract boilerplate will be handled by staff before final execution.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 25-15: Approval of contract for plan review, inspection and building official services with Beacon Code Consultants. Outcome: approved (roll call). - Motion to dissolve the Chief Building Inspector/Planner position in the city's pay plan. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
