The county has its first certified building codes inspector.
During Monday night’s monthly meeting, the county commission approved the hiring of Davey Horton by the county mayor to fill the newly created part-time position. He will serve as a 1099 employee and receive no county benefits.
Horton has experience in the job. He currently serves as a certified building inspector for the City of McMinnville
Earlier this year the county commission adopted a resolution establishing the current state building codes for the county to go by in issuing its own building permits. Establishing a building permit system would allow the county to collect fees on inspections of new construction rather than the state.
With Horton’s hiring, the county commission voted to enter into a contract with him and his salary will be derived from 65% of fee collections from building permits and all inspections except for electrical which are done by the state. The county must submit to the state a completed 14-page survey which is to be followed by an audit to ensure local compliance. Audits are done every three years.
Funds for the program are included in the proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget.