Council flags codes-and-inspections workload; Patrick wears multiple hats

Council discussed the workload in codes and inspections. Staff explained that Patrick handles a broad portfolio—codes and inspections, planning, emergency management and some fire marshal duties—and that emergency management and fire marshal responsibilities carry a 10% stipend. Members expressed concern that one person is covering many duties long-term and asked staff to explore redistributing tasks or adding personnel to avoid over-reliance on a single employee.

Staff acknowledged the strain and said temporary coverage has been used in the past during vacancies; they committed to reviewing positions and returning with options to address capacity and continuity concerns.

Why it matters: Codes and inspections are critical to permitting, business activity, and safety oversight. Concentrated responsibilities increase operational risk should that staff member leave or be unavailable; council indicated it wants staff to examine options to spread duties or add capacity.