Sedgwick County building director says department issues about 30,000 permits a year, focuses on compliance not revenue

Chris Labram, director of the Sedgwick County building and code department (MABCD), told Commission Chairman Jeff Luwell in an on‑the‑record interview that his department issues about 30,000 permits a year and is focused on driving compliance rather than generating revenue.

"Our front office does annually averages about 30,000 permits a year," Labram said, noting the department's broad responsibilities for contractor licensing, commercial plan review and certification of trades personnel. He said the department employs about 85 people, including roughly 40 trades and building inspectors who check foundations, electrical, plumbing and HVAC work through to occupancy.

The interview laid out how the department divides its work. Labram said MABCD handles structural review and inspections while public works handles roads, bridges and sidewalks: "a lot of people think that we are involved in roads, bridges, and sidewalks, but that's all public works," he said. He described a separate land‑use team that manages neighborhood inspections, housing and nuisance code enforcement and zoning assistance.

Labram emphasized an educational first approach to enforcement. "A lot of what we do and our first step in most of that is to just educate and make sure people know the rules," he said. "Our goal is to always gain compliance. The only reasons we ever use fines or any penalties is when we have not gained compliance." Labram said the department works with environmental resources, public works and the sheriff's office when cleanup or safety actions are required.

Luwell and Labram also discussed the department's budget posture. Labram said the department has reduced some fees in the current budget hearings to avoid generating revenue beyond cost recovery and that enforcement cases often cost the department more than fines recover: "we specifically will see in the budget hearings next week that we specifically have reduced some of our fees recently to ensure that we are not generating beyond cost recovery within our department," Labram said.

On the county's biggest challenge, Labram pointed to rapid population and development growth in Sedgwick County and the difficulty of balancing competing interests: "It is great to see that but ... it's challenging to make sure that growth happens properly ... that we are slow and steady in that pace and that we properly manage that growth," he said.

The interview also covered Labram's background. He said he joined the county in 2017 after retiring from a 26‑year Air Force career, including service as an aircraft maintenance officer. Labram described his approach to leadership as responsive and collaborative; he said the department tries to help property owners come into compliance before pursuing legal remedies.

Labram closed by thanking the commission for its support and sharing contact information for residents seeking help or clarification about building permits and code enforcement.

The commission's budget hearings—where Labram said fee adjustments will be considered—are scheduled next week, according to the interview. The department did not announce any new formal policies during the conversation.