LAKEPORT – With a unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a reorganization plan for the county's Building and Safety Division, including the elimination of two building inspector positions.
Community Development Director Rick Coel, who took the matter to the board, stated in his written report that the steps were necessary if they were to avoid completely depleting the division's reserves by June 30.
“While we do not want to lay off any of our devoted and highly skilled Building Division staff, we simply have no other choice,” Coel's report explained.
He proposed to the board that they eliminate both building inspector positions, which would result in an annual savings of $154,000.
The division would then be left with a chief building official, a senior plan examiner, and two community development technicians, he said. Another position, a grading and stormwater inspector, is funded by geothermal royalties and not division revenues.
Currently, the division's monthly payroll for salary and benefits totals $38,700; after the cuts, the four remaining positions covered by division revenue would total $25,850 monthly, according to Coel.
While Coel's written proposal suggested that the changes go into effect April 1, he asked that the board extend that deadline to April 21.
He said the division had a slight cushion thanks to February's revenues being “up significantly.” One of the two inspectors slated to be cut, a 28-year employee, asked to retire April 20, and the time extension would allow for that retirement request.
“One actual person is being let go as a result of this this board action?” Supervisor Denise Rushing asked. Coel said yes.
The silver lining, said Coel, is that the inspector who is not retiring has bumping privileges, and formerly worked in the county's Code Enforcement Division, so if an opening occurs there he can cross over.
Board Chair Anthony Farrington pointed out that the county also has been allowing its building inspectors to work with Special Districts.
Coel said the county's personnel policy calls for keeping people who are laid off on a hire list for up to a year and a half, giving them the chance to come back if there are openings.
“We'll just have to wait and see,” Coel said.
Supervisor Jeff Smith offered the resolution, which the board approved 5-0.
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