County commissioners propose exit from Pueblo Regional building IGA; city officials warn of risks

Pueblo — County commissioners on Monday introduced a plan to end the county’s part of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Pueblo Regional Building and form a county-run building department, saying the change would improve accountability and speed permitting. City council members and regional building officials urged more study, warned of service disruptions and pressed commissioners to extend the IGA notice period.

The proposal was presented by Commissioner Zach Swearingen, who said county leaders intend to absorb some building permits and inspectors into county government and create a closer alignment of planning, zoning and building services. "This transition is about building a transparent, accountable, and well coordinated system that better serves residents, contractors, and businesses," Swearingen said.

Supporters, including Commissioner McPeters and others, argued that some developers and homeowners encounter delays under the current regional structure and that placing county permitting inside county government would allow a "one-stop-shop" approach for county projects. McPeters said the change would affect only county permitting and that…