LAKE COUNTY >> Just a few weeks ago, the rebuilding work had stalled as the county struggled to keep up with demand for building inspections and permits. But things have changed dramatically.
The county has almost caught up on building inspections and made progress in staffing at the Building Division Department.
District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown has conducted over 115 inspections around the county after a decision to allow volunteers to step in. He said can do around 12 a day, depending upon what type of inspection and the distance between each site.
“It’s a broad range and they’ve given me good training,” Brown said. “A lot of them pass but four of them today did not pass inspection. Some prove to be a bit more complicated.”
If he does come across inspections that are more complicated he calls the current Building Inspector for the county and lets him look at it to ensure a proper inspection.
Even with the progress, Brown said he will continue to help with inspections for as long as he is needed.
“Looks like we got a lot of people hired and a lot of extra help,” Brown said.
Carol Huchingson the County Administrative Officer said they are still recruiting for Building Inspectors but had one new hire start the last week of August. The second inspector has a set start date that is still to be determined by the county’s Human Resource Department.
For those who applied for Extra Help positions at the Job Fair held at the county building Huchingson said they are starting to process some of the 13 qualified applicants.
“The department sent five applications for pre-employment medical exams. All exams have been completed. HR is awaiting report of appointments from CCD,” Huchingson said.
For the other vacant positions in the Building Division, the county is starting interviews for the Chief Building Official and recruitment has closed for the Plans Examiner positions and a panel date is being arranged.
Kathy Ferguson the Human Resources Director for the county said there were 10 qualified applicants for the Plans Examiner position and a re-recruitment will be held starting September 1 for the final Building Inspection position.
“If the Building Inspector recruitment that is opening today is successful, it will fill the last remaining Building Inspector vacancy,” Ferguson said.
