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Madison County building office credits new portal with higher inspection capacity; expects more commercial activity
Summary
County building/permits staff told commissioners a cloud-based portal implemented in April 2024 has increased permit and inspection capacity, with inspection counts reported rising substantially; staff warned some residents lack internet access and noted the zoning department will join the portal soon.
County building and permits staff presented an operational update, saying a cloud-based portal put in place in April 2024 has boosted efficiency and inspection throughput.
A building department representative told commissioners the new software enabled the office to process many more inspections without increasing staff numbers: the transcript records 4,855 inspections in 2023, about 6,500 in 2024, and a cumulative figure of 8,500 inspections in the current year. Staff said permit counts rose as well (from roughly 1,100 countywide to 2,715 by November of the current year), and that the zoning department will be integrated into the portal within about a week to ten days. The office said kiosks and in-person assistance remain available for residents without reliable internet or computer access.
Commissioners asked for context on the inspection increases. The building representative cautioned that inspection totals can be misleading — one house can require multiple inspections (11–12 in some cases) — and said commercial activity contributed materially to the higher inspection counts. Staff also said some prospective commercial projects are entering preliminary confidentiality agreements and are not yet public; they expect more commercial permit activity in January–March.
What happens next: staff will bring zoning onto the portal and continue outreach for residents who need assistance using the electronic system. The office said it will provide requested breakdowns by jurisdiction and home counts on follow-up request from commissioners.
