Minutes - 05-14-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

John Link said that it is a process of service and then receiving reimbursements from the State. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1. Rehabilitation Specialist tUrgent Repair Program) in the Housing and Community Development Department John Link said that this position is the County's alternative for administering the Urgent Repair Program. Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes said that the primary purpose of this position would help the County establish the Urgent Repair Program and help to provide additional staff support for the comprehensive rehabilitation program. There is not a revenue stream for this at this time. Commissioner Carey asked about the current Rehabilitation Specialist and how the salary is covered and Tara Fikes said that the position is funded partly by Section 8 monies. PERSONNEL 1. Senior Personnel Analyst in the Personnel Department - John Link said that this position is being recommended to handle the growing workload in the Personnel Department. The workforce has grown by 25°~ since 1994 when the last position was added. Personnel Director Elaine Holmes said that this position would allow the Personnel Department to address the increased workload in the Personnel Department. It would also allow her time to work on countywide initiatives. Commissioner Jacobs asked how many vacant positions there are and Elaine Holmes said that they average about 50 positions vacant at any one time. The County has about 750 employees. Turnover has certainly impacted the Personnel Department's workload and advertising costs. Chair Halkiatis asked why people in Child Protection Services and telecammunicators are leaving. Elaine Holmes said that there are a variety of reasons for leaving. Cammissianer Gordon made reference to the list of job functions and goals and the minority representation. This is on the bottom of page 18 and the top of page 19 and in the matrix in the notebook. She feels it is important as we get new groups Gaming in that we make an effort to reach out to all groups. PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS Code Enforcement Officer III Planning Director Craig Benedict said that this person would handle mechanical, structural, and electrical inspections. Over the last two years, there have been four new inspectors and two other persons who are new in their supervisory roles. The Planning and Inspections Department is improving its customer service. By adding this new position, this department hopes to da a better job of reviewing projects at the beginning. Seventy-five percent of the department's activity is devoted to the residential area - 60°~ to new homes and 15°~ to additions. The other 25°~ is devoted to other activities including commercial, schools, etc. The amount of activity has increased dramatically over the last three years. Each inspector is responsible for 100 square miles. The number of building permits per inspector is 125 single-family permits. Even with adding one new inspector we would bring it dawn to 80 square miles, which is closer to what our neighboring counties are doing and also closer to the standards as set by the State. This position would decrease the 17 inspections a day to about 14 ar 15. This position would also increase the efficiency of the department. In answer to a question from Chair Halkiotis, Craig Benedict said that the inspectors use cell phones for greater efficiency. There has been a major increase in the workload because of larger houses in the area. The inspectors are taking more time to do inspections and the code is being followed more closely. Cammissianer Gordon asked about the single-housing permits and Craig Benedict said that the number of inspections requested is 12 to 14 per house. They conducted about 12,700 inspections last year and this year that number will increase to 15,000. Previously the failure rate was not very high.