Building office proposes dedicated electrical inspector as construction scale rises

Building and Licensing Director presented a FY26 request to add a dedicated electrical inspector after describing growing permit complexity and the rise of multi‑unit development.

The director told the council inspections have become more complex as the city sees large townhouse and multifamily projects; he said this raises field inspection needs and that the department currently manages many electrical inspections in‑house. He proposed adding an electrical inspector position and noted the city’s electrical permit revenues historically have supported inspection staffing; the department currently averages more than $100,000 annually in electrical permit revenue, he said.

Why it matters: adding a dedicated electrical inspector aims to speed inspections, improve compliance and reduce reliance on temporary or photo‑based reviews. Councilors asked whether the work could be contracted; the director said the city has not contracted electrical inspection services in recent years and that in‑house staffing provides quicker local response and continuity for complex projects.

The department also requested a vehicle replacement as a CIP item to support field staff. Any decision on adding a permanent inspector will be made during budget deliberations.