Lincoln County planning commission votes to forward letter urging consideration of county building inspections

The Lincoln County Planning Commission voted 7–3 on July 9 to forward a draft letter to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners asking the board to consider establishing county building inspections.

County Planner Judy Clark presented a draft and said she had prepared it for the chair to sign and forward to commissioners. Two county commissioners attending the meeting — Commissioner Wuehler and Commissioner Bruns — told the commission they thought the letter was well written.

Supporters framed the proposal as a life‑safety and consumer‑protection measure. Commissioner Judy Pederson said she knows of instances that led to litigation, arguing inspection could prevent unsafe construction and later costs to municipalities: "I know of a couple issues that have arisen in the county with lawsuits being filed because houses are not being built correctly and thinks it would be wise to have someone inspecting homes before the city absorbs poor construction with annexation." Commissioner Zak Eickhoff argued essential checks (footings, framing, final inspection) are inexpensive compared with the risk of unsafe work.

Opponents warned of overreach and unequal access. Commissioner Marlene Flaming raised concerns about government intrusion and the burden on property owners, recounting experiences where inspections prolonged remodeling work. Commissioner Roger Merritt cautioned that residents on the county outskirts might not receive the same service as those nearer population centers and worried about the program becoming another tax.

The commission discussed options for how an inspection program could be organized and funded. Planner Clark said implementing inspections would require regulatory language describing inspection scope (what is inspected and who enforces it), and she suggested fees would likely increase to cover costs. The commission debated whether inspection administration would sit in planning or require a new office, whether an interlocal agreement with villages could be used, and which inspections (for example, structural footings and framing versus insulation) should be required.

Commissioner Pederson moved and Lee Davies seconded the motion to ask the chair to sign and forward the draft letter to the County Board for discussion within two weeks. The motion carried on a roll‑call vote: Aye — Rayburn, Roggow, Edwards, Pederson, Davies, Eickhoff, Miller; Nay — Flaming, Boden, Merritt; Absent — Moorhead. The letter will be forwarded with the recorded votes and the remarks from the discussion.