Richland County appoints Steve Risser as building official; department head outlines staffing and software plans

Steve Risser, the county’s director of building codes, asked the Richland County Board of Commissioners March 26 to formally appoint him as the county building official so state certification records can be updated.

"I would like to ask for formal action from the board of commissioners this morning to appoint myself as the building official for the department and for the county," Risser told the board as he presented a proposed organizational chart and staffing plan effective April 1.

Risser said Jared and Eric will continue as in-house inspectors handling residential plan review and inspections, and that contract employee Jeff Eaton will remain on call to handle overflow plan review and serve as the backup building official. He also noted an existing contract resource, Mark Miller of the city of Mansfield, is available as needed. Office staff named in Risser’s chart include Michelle Jordan (office manager), Amy Smith (full-time administrative assistant) and a temporary part-time clerk, Rhonda Blener, through early May.

Risser detailed a planned request for proposals for permitting software intended to automate manual workflows, improve electronic plan submissions and shift inspection scheduling from paper to an online system. He said the department hopes to return next week with a final RFP and schedule for advertising and consultant selection.

Commissioner Cliff Mir moved to appoint Risser; the motion was seconded and approved by the three commissioners present. The board did not request additional changes to the organizational chart on the record.

The appointment clears an administrative step the county must take with the state board that certifies local building-code enforcement departments, Risser said, and aims to maintain continuity after the retirement of the previous building official.