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inspector service would be reduced. However, what was seen this year was that building permits <br />are still high and 1,900 hours were contracted over the last 12 calendar months, which equates to <br />a full-time position. Looking ahead to what is coming up in the future regarding preliminary <br />platted lots and final platted lots, ready to build new homes, and commercial projects, there is work <br />that is coming that would support another full-time position. Also, if contracts need to be adjusted <br />for various reasons, the new contracted hourly rates are nearly double what is being paid now. <br />Firms are also starting to ask for multi-year commitments. If the City were to bring in a second <br />full-time building inspector and considering what that would do from a budgeting standpoint, there <br />would be a cost savings to bring in an in-house building inspector versus a new contract. <br /> <br />Mayor Kuzma commented if a move would have to be made to a multi-year contract and the rates <br />are being doubled, it makes sense to bring in an in-house person. <br /> <br />Councilmember Howell questioned if the standing contract is good to continue or is the firm asking <br />to revisit it. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator/ Community Dev. Director Hagen replied right now they are operating <br />under the existing contract which has been unchanged for a few years. The individual that is being <br />received for those services is very competent and does the work with little or no guidance but it is <br />unknown how long he will continue to work. If a different employee does the work, they have <br />been told the rate will likely go up. That would also pose a time to look for another company that <br />would provide that service, maybe more efficiently or effectively. Preliminary investigations have <br />shown that the hourly rate for some companies is close to $100 and up to $150 with other <br />companies. If someone were hired who could come in doing all residential, commercial, and septic <br />reviews, that person would be higher in the pay range. Calculations were done at Step 6 with <br />wages and medical coverage, it would be just under $120,000 a year. If 1,900 hours of contracted <br />service at $100, it is right in line. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove referenced the case where it is written a full-year hire is $120,000, as <br />mentioned, but the contracted is $95,000. She questioned if that is how the numbers in the case <br />are supposed to be understood. She also questioned if the current contracted worker is no longer <br />available are there other contract services for inspectors. She asked Community Development <br />Director Hagen to talk about how difficult it is to find contracted services and if contracted workers <br />are typically qualified to do all three types of inspections. <br /> <br />Building Official Szykulski commented that the $95,000 included in the case is based off the 1,900 <br />hours that was mentioned at a rate of $50 an hour, which is in the current standing contract. If the <br />contract were to change, that is where new contracted services are going to be substantially <br />different. Bids last year that were in writing are not being honored now. If the current company <br />is continued, it could easily go up to $65 or $70 an hour, which is an estimate based on last year’s <br />proposal. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove questioned if the Council could get some more of that detail. She also <br />asked how fees cover the inspection because the fees for inspections were increased. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / January 11, 2022 <br />Page 4 of 15 <br /> <br />