Oceana County board adopts 72-hour standard for building inspections after contractor pushback

The Oceana County Board of Commissioners voted July 24 to require building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections be completed within 72 hours of the appointment date requested by a permit holder or authorized agent, resolving a months-long dispute about how inspection scheduling is interpreted and enforced.

Commissioner Tim Beggs raised contractor complaints about a recent practice that limited scheduling in advance, saying local builders needed predictable lead times to keep projects on schedule. "It is key to be able to schedule inspections in advance to maintain a planned schedule," said Scott Stovall of Stovall Construction during the Properties Committee public comment, describing his company’s experience building 44 homes at Shelby Acres.

Administrator Tracy Byard and Building Coordinator Brooke Sylvester explained the contract language requiring inspections be completed within 72 hours of a request and described operational limits in staffing and software. Commissioners disagreed about whether the practice represented a new policy. "Committees can workshop issues, but policies are ratified by the Board with a majority vote in a public meeting," Beggs said, noting concern about unilateral committee action. Vice-Chair Paul Erickson and Commissioner Joel McCormick said the intent was to restate contract requirements rather than create new rules.

After debate, Beggs withdrew an initial motion to "rescind" prior practice and instead moved the board adopt a clarified requirement. The board passed Motion #2025-88 by voice vote. The motion text requires inspections be completed within 72 hours of the appointment date requested by the permit holder or authorized agent.

The Board also discussed inspection reporting. Sylvester said she removed a column showing the date an appointment was requested and now reports the date a contractor called and the date the inspection was completed. Commissioner Joel McCormick suggested stopping the routine report, and Commissioner Craig Hardy instructed Administrator Byard that staff need not generate the report routinely; it may be requested if complaints arise. The Board agreed to revisit the reporting requirement after one year.

Public commenters and Shelby Township Supervisor Richard Raffaelli urged the commissioners to consult permit-heavy contractors before enforcing changes. Raffaelli expressed frustration that the scheduling change took effect without a formal complaint or more direct consultation with the Building Department.

The Board did not set an immediate enforcement timetable beyond the adopted 72-hour completion language; Administrator Byard said she would notify the Board if additional clarity or contract revisions are required.