Permit Expediting?

[Mr. Inspector]

As a 3rd party inspection company that has a contract with the towns with set fees we cannot offer a permit expediting option.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I haven't worked anywhere that did that. I know plan reviewers and inspectors that make as much in overtime as they do regular time.

If you weren't in California, I'd ask where I sign up.

I'm part-time. I'm budgeted for 19 hours per week. At the end of the last fiscal year (June 2024) the office manager told me I had to cut back my hours during the last two weeks of the fiscal year to avoid exceeding my budget line item.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

If you weren't in California, I'd ask where I sign up.

I'm part-time. I'm budgeted for 19 hours per week. At the end of the last fiscal year (June 2024) the office manager told me I had to cut back my hours during the last two weeks of the fiscal year to avoid exceeding my budget line item.

We are so busy my 3rd party company is turning down towns that want our services because we already need more help. We don't do overtime.

 

[Mark K]

I haven't worked anywhere that did that. I know plan reviewers and inspectors that make as much in overtime as they do regular time.

Would it not make sense to hire more staff or contract with someone?

 

[jar546]

Would it not make sense to hire more staff or contract with someone?

Yes, absolutely, which is what we do. We are contracted with two third-party agencies and use them as needed to keep up with demand. This is our hybrid system, which allows us to have minimal staffing as a fixed cost. As permit and inspection volume increases, we utilize third parties as needed. If I need one inspector for one day or just for 6 inspections, they provide the staff.

 

[tmurray]

Would it not make sense to hire more staff or contract with someone?

The question to leadership is if the high volume of projects is just a temporary thing, or a permanent thing. If it sticks around and proves it is more permanent, then they can build a business cases for more employees.

Giving out overtime is probably better than contracting. The cost is about the same and benefits long-term employees.

One thing I think people in the private sector might not recognize is that adding to the civil servant workforce takes time because it is so challenging to decrease the workforce if there is a decline in workload.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

Would it not make sense to hire more staff or contract with someone?

Anyone that has a state cert already has a job. Within 3 years half of the inspectors that we have will be retiring.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Anyone that has a state cert already has a job. Within 3 years half of the inspectors that we have will be retiring.

Truth. Statewide, we have a severe shortage of code officials and inspectors. It's only going to get worse, because there aren't enough young people taking the certification classes to replace the aging population who will be retiring soon.