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Clermont County expands contract with EXPEX LLC to speed plan reviews amid staffing shortages
Summary
The commissioners approved an addendum increasing the county's plan-review contract with EXPEX LLC from a $75,000 annual cap to $150,000 to reduce commercial and residential review times while the county hires additional inspectors and plan reviewers.
BATAVIA, Ohio — The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 11 approved an addendum to its existing services agreement with EXPEX LLC to increase the county's annual not-to-exceed amount for construction plan examination from $75,000 to $150,000.
Chris McClintock, community and economic development director, told the board the county experienced a record year of permitting and inspections and cannot yet hire enough certified plan reviewers and inspectors to meet demand. "Time is money to those folks," he said, arguing that third-party plan reviewers have kept review times acceptable while the county recruits additional staff.
Building official Heath Wilson said that before the county used EXPEX, commercial reviews were averaging about 30 days (a period that the code allows) and that with EXPEX the county reached "within 5 days" for commercial reviews and about "3 days" for residential reviews. He said the addendum would let the county maintain customer service levels while it fills open positions.
The addendum was presented as an increase to a contract originally executed July 30, 2025, and includes the same terms and conditions as the original agreement. The board moved, seconded and approved the addendum by roll call (all yes).
What happens next: County staff said they are actively recruiting for three inspector positions and two plan-reviewer positions; the EXPEX contract will remain a stopgap until hires are made or unless a large project requires continued supplemental review capacity.
