San Bruno council approves higher‑paid Deputy Building Official position over one dissent

The San Bruno City Council voted 4–1 on Oct. 22 to adopt a reclassification that replaces the previously approved Building Division Supervisor position with a Deputy Building Official classification, a change staff said reflects the scope of supervision and technical duties in the Building Division.

Council discussion centered on staff size and cost. A councilmember noted the building division currently has a small roster—two building inspectors and one permit technician—and questioned whether the higher salary range was justified while code enforcement remains assigned elsewhere. That councilmember said returning code enforcement to Community Development would allow a lower‑paid supervisor to cover responsibilities without the proposed reclassification; the speaker voted no when the motion passed.

Staff described the Deputy Building Official role as performing "a variety of routine and complex administrative supervisor technical work in building and plan check programs" and said the classification would exercise direct supervision over assigned staff and consultants. The council approved the classification change and corresponding salary range by majority vote; Councilmember Alvarez cast the sole no vote.

The action is a personnel classification and budget decision that raises immediate budgetary and staffing implications for the Community Development Department. Staff indicated the change will increase salary and benefit costs in the department budget and will be reflected in future personnel and capital planning.