City advertising for building official

WORLAND — Although the Worland City Council has not made a firm decision on whether they will proceed with hiring a new building official, following the resignation of Nick Kruger earlier this month, they have begun advertising for the position.

During the council meeting Tuesday night, Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Glanz notified the council that she would begin advertising for a building official so she would be able to move forward, whichever direction the council moves.

City Attorney Kent Richins agreed with advertising, noting “it would give us an idea of what’s available. It could answer our questions for us.”

Glanz said the city is still selling building permits as required by current city. They are asking contractors photograph their projects so a new official, if hired, can approve what has been done.

During the May 3 Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission Glanz announced Kruger’s resignation and her recommendation to possibly do away with building codes in the city and thus the building official position. She said she recommended to the council during the May 1 meeting to keep the planning zoning code and hire someone to assist with that and work with the BAPC.

She if the council moves in that direction it would mean that there would be no inspections for residential construction and the state would take over inspections for commercial property regarding fire and life safety codes.

Glanz said Worland, Cody and Powell are the only municipalities in the Big Horn Basin who enforce a building code. Eliminating the building codes would make Worland similar to small towns in the Basin and the state, she said.

Glanz said in the 18 years she has worked for the city they have gone through seven building officials. “We can’t seem to maintain the position,” she said, adding that there is a lot of the building code that the public and council don’t want.

During Thursday’s BAPC meeting, members expressed concerns about site reviews, such as the one they approved for Scheuerman Hospitality. Mike Dykman said site reviews would have to be submitted early and any approval likely would take at least two meetings.

James Donahue agreed, noting that they would need time to review documents and do research that had been done by Kruger.

According to the advertisement, the city is seeking someone with a commercial building inspector certification, knowledge of building and zoning codes, and ability to perform plan reviews and field inspections. The advertisement notes the qualifications are preferred, but not required.