County says transfer of building-code inspections from Glens Falls depends on hiring several inspectors

Board members discussed an intermunicipal agreement that would transfer building-code inspection responsibilities from the city of Glens Falls to Warren County.

The county attorney told the board that an intermunicipal agreement is prepared and under review and that the plan would be no-cost to the county initially, with the city covering fees for additional personnel for at least the first three years. She said the county is targeting Jan. 1, 2027 for initiation but cautioned the start date depends on hiring sufficient staff: "We're already short 2 in our office, so we need to hire a total of 4 or 5," the attorney said, noting only one qualified applicant so far for posted positions.

County Administrator said the chairman could have authority to enter the finalized agreement once mutual approval by both entities is reached, and offered to provide a one-page summary of final language for the board to review. Supervisor members pressed the staffing question and acknowledged that the county cannot execute the agreement until it has at least two inspectors available to start inspections in Glens Falls.

The board did not vote on the agreement at the meeting; county staff said they are actively recruiting through civil service and plan to return with final language and staffing updates.