Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Commission OKs hiring private inspectors

Ordinance overcomes strong opposition from union members

Despite opposition from Clark County union members, commissioners moved forward Tuesday with a plan to hire private inspectors to assist with an overload of residential building projects.

Commissioners, who approved an ordinance allowing the county to hire private inspectors for residential developments, said the county has an obligation to provide timely inspections to developers who pay for that service.

"This gives the county an added resource because the reality is we don't have sufficient manpower," Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald said.

But representatives of the Service Employees International Union said the developers county officials are catering to by allowing the use of private inspectors have contributed to the inspectors' backlog of projects.

County inspectors told commissioners that often members of the short-handed inspection division are called upon to perform a residential inspection when the work at the site isn't complete.

"One-third of the waste is, in fact, being caused by developers," said Jane McAlevey, executive director of the union. "It's the obligation of developers not to waste the inspectors' time."

Of the 117 budgeted county building inspectors positions, 21 are vacant. Ten vacancies have existed for several months and 11 new positions were added a month ago.

McAlevey suggested reducing the backlog by implementing stringent penalties for developers who call inspectors before the work is finished.

The county's new plan is voluntary, meaning developers can choose to expedite a project by paying the building department an additional fee to use a private inspector.

"This program is in no way an indictment on our employees," said Building Official Ron Lynn, who added that no county employee will lose hours to a private inspector.

The ordinance was supported by industry organizations such as the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association. Its representatives said the ordinance ultimately benefits homebuyers because it will reduce costly delays.

Union members said homeowners could be most at risk.

A throng of inspectors expressed concern that private workers would not have to live up to the ethical standards of a government employee. A private inspector might give in to pressure to approve an inspection in return for perks, or even bribes, they said.