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Personnel Committee 4. 3. Meeting Date: 05/14/2013 Submitted For: Tim Gladhill By: Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Title: Consider Authorization to End Contracted Building Official Services and Recruit a Regular, Full -Time Building Official Background: Staff is seeking authorization to end contracted Building Official services and to recruit for a regular, full-time Building Official. Per Minnesota State Building Code, the City is required to have a Building Official, whom is responsible for the local administration of the code, in some capacity. The City currently chooses to contract for professional services for this role. This is more of a leadership role for the Building Division compared to solely building inspection and plan review services. By recruiting a regular, full-time Building Official, that position can take a more active role in the daily management of the division, thus reducing the workload of existing staff, allowing time for other important tasks. The City's approach to delivering inspection and plan review services by way of contracted employee would not change. In December of 2011, the City began contracting for Building Official services due to a vacancy in the position. The City had already been contracting for building inspection and plan review services. As part of this restructuring, it was determined that the Building Official role would be evaluated in six (6) months to determine a long term solution to this role. On July 10, 2012, the City Council discussed the potential to recruit a Building Official in Work Session. At that time, City Council chose to continue to contract for Building Official services. The 2013 Strategic Plan identifies a potential recruitment of a Building Official. The Building Division is currently comprised of a Building Official (contract services-40 hours per week), a Building Inspector (contracted services-10 to 40 hours per week), a Permit Technician, and is supervised by the Development Services Manager. As part of the expense analysis of the Building Division, Staff recommends that the Building Official is needed 40 hours per week in order to provide timely response to plan review, inspections, customer service inquiries, administrative projects, and code enforcement throughout the year. This analysis is based on current and trending permit levels. It should be noted that a portion of the Building Official's time is spent on activities that are not directly tied to an active Permit review or inspection (such as administrative tasks and code enforcement activities). Some of these activities are delayed during peak permit levels to allow Staff to focus on administration of active permits. The current contracted services provided by Inspectron, Inc. have been positive and have provided good customer service in a timely manner. Staff would recommend to retain Inspectron for the remainder of the services, such as building inspection, currently provided by this firm. Notification: No notification is required. Observations/Alternatives: Strategic Goals As part of the 2013 City Council Strategic Goals, Staff has been analyzing expenses related to the administration of building permits, as well as the most cost effective way to deliver these services while providing continuity and stability in an efficient manner. The 2013 Strategic Plan notes a recruitment of a Building Official, a position that is currently being served by contracted services. After a full calendar year of analysis of contracting for Building Official services, it appears that recruiting a Building Official as a full-time, regular City employee remains fairly budget neutral. In addition, Staff is currently exploring ways to effectively and efficiently deliver these services.