Committee members reported multiple meetings with SafeBuilt and described changes negotiated into the proposed contract: a minimum of three inspection days per week, provisions for emergency and footing inspections on off days, photo documentation and 24-hour weather-related allowances, a requirement that SafeBuilt forward resident and contractor complaints to county land-use staff, and provision of permit-handouts and code-update materials to contractors. The proposed fee increases that SafeBuilt sought are tied to the contract language.

Committee members said many contractors voiced concerns about inconsistency in inspections after a recent inspector change. SafeBuilt proposed a five-days-per-week option but staff said SafeBuilt quoted a $22,000-per-month flat fee for that level of service, a figure staff said would not be covered by current permit revenue. Committee members discussed interim and longer-term alternatives, including a county-employed part-time inspector, sharing staff with the city of Ottawa or other municipalities, or a registration and outreach program to collect contractor contact information and feed an anonymous contractor-feedback system.

Because the contract includes a 90-day termination-by-either-party clause, the committee voted to forward the proposed SafeBuilt contract to the county finance office and county counsel for review, subject to the committee’s continued oversight. Staff said they will prepare the final contract language and present the item to the land-use committee in December for further action; finance and fee changes would then go to the county board as required.

Why it matters: Building-inspection services affect permitting turnaround times, contractor experience and public safety oversight. Committee members said they want both sufficient inspection availability and a mechanism for independent contractor feedback so the county can evaluate performance and, if necessary, pursue alternative inspection arrangements.