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Hastings staff report improvement under delegated fire/code authority after one-year pilot
Summary
City staff told the council a one-year pilot of delegated authority from the state fire marshal produced faster plan reviews and inspection outcomes: 169 plan reviews since July 2024, a median 15 business days and a rise above the 80% timeliness goal after process adjustments.
City staff briefed the Hastings City Council on a one-year update to the delegated authority program that moves state fire-marshalling responsibilities to qualified local personnel for selected plan reviews and inspections.
Troy (city development/fire prevention official) told the council that the process emerged after a May 28, 2024 council vote and a July 2024 state grant of delegated authority. "Since 07/11/2024, there's been 169 plan reviews," Troy said, adding that 52% of those were completed within 15 business days early in the transition. He said the department established a goal of 80% timely reviews and, after process adjustments, is now meeting that goal.
Troy outlined other program metrics mentioned to council: approximately 1,129 inspections completed during the transition period (staff characterized this as an approximate figure), about 10 equivalency grant decisions where the city offered alternate compliance measures that still met life-safety intent, and 16 temporary certificates of occupancy issued to allow projects to proceed while minor items were completed. On workload, Troy said the incremental state licensure inspections taken on under delegation total roughly 31 per year.
Council members pressed on staffing and oversight. One council member asked whether local staff would have to hire two or three new people to handle the workload; Troy said the department currently has two certified personnel eligible for delegated authority and that additional certifications are possible but could require assigning staff from other duties. He also said the state retains quasi-control through appeal: if someone objects to a city decision they can appeal to the state and the state can overrule local rulings.
Some council members recalled early complaints during the transition but acknowledged improvements. Troy cited outreach to comparable cities (North Platte, Norfolk, Grand Island) and a business owner who reported that the local-authority experience in Norfolk was faster and more collaborative than dealing directly with the state. Troy also recommended the council consider written periodic reports; several members asked for quarterly or annual written updates on plan reviews and inspections so the public can track performance.
The report was informational; no council action was required to continue delegated authority, which staff said could continue without further council approval if required staff remain certified.
