Longtime Richland County building official Ken reflects on 36½ years in service
March 27, 2026 | Richland County, Ohio
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Colleagues honored Ken at the Richland County Board of Commissioners meeting March 26 as he prepares to retire after 36½ years with the county.
Commissioners and staff praised Ken’s dedication. Ken, the county’s retiring building official, said the work often focused on mentoring contractors and ensuring safety rather than penalizing builders.
"If we do our job, nothing happens," Ken said, summarizing his approach to inspections and enforcement.
Ken traced his background from working as a contractor and taking certification as a building inspector (state certification number 33) to becoming building official around 2006. He described the evolution of codes and the department’s focus on communication with state agencies and design professionals to interpret and apply code changes.
He also reflected on broader regional lessons after recounting an episode of corruption in a neighboring county, noting that subsequent reforms — improved public-records policies and annual ethics training — led to better internal controls and training locally.
The board and attendees thanked Ken and noted a retirement reception scheduled the following day.
Commissioners and staff praised Ken’s dedication. Ken, the county’s retiring building official, said the work often focused on mentoring contractors and ensuring safety rather than penalizing builders.
"If we do our job, nothing happens," Ken said, summarizing his approach to inspections and enforcement.
Ken traced his background from working as a contractor and taking certification as a building inspector (state certification number 33) to becoming building official around 2006. He described the evolution of codes and the department’s focus on communication with state agencies and design professionals to interpret and apply code changes.
He also reflected on broader regional lessons after recounting an episode of corruption in a neighboring county, noting that subsequent reforms — improved public-records policies and annual ethics training — led to better internal controls and training locally.
The board and attendees thanked Ken and noted a retirement reception scheduled the following day.
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