county hears recommendation to adopt building codes

hiring new chief inspector first step

Sevier County

Commissioner Charles McGaha

By Staff Reports

published: June 19 2007 11:49 AM updated:: June 20 2007 12:37 PM

Monday night the Sevier County Commission heard recommendations to hire a chief building inspector. Charles McGaha, the Chairman of the special committee formed to oversee the process, reported to the County Commission that it was his committees' recommendation that a chief building inspector be hired.

The Chief would be responsible for the startup of the department and then managing the day-to-day activities of the inspectors in addition to being the chief inspector.

McGaha also noted that the committee voted unanimously to recommend the adoption of the 1999 Building Codes. To fund the initial startup, McGaha's committee has requested $100,000. Also on McGahas list was a workshop that would be held to discuss the full study on building codes.

Members of the special committee formed to oversee the building code implementation include: Commissioner Charles McGaha (Chairman), Commissioner Gene Byrd, Bill Maples, Doug Smith, Peter Bush (Secretary), Mike McCarter, Richard Balk, Roger Pickens, Howard Statson, Ed Bohanan and Bob Gillespie.

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User Comments

#1 John Taxpayer commented, on June 21, 2007 at 9:32 a.m.:

The first problem I see is 100 grand to study who's building codes? There are none in Sevier County. Are we talking State or Federal Codes under H.U.D. You can get a H.U.D. code book sent to you free of charge from the U.S Government Printing office. What is the 100,000 for? That's my money you are spending and I want to know where every dime of it goes this time. After all, you are PUBLIC SERVANTS, arn't you?

#2 SC citizen commented, on June 21, 2007 at 10:49 a.m.:

NACO is an organization that helps counties govern. As far as I know, Sevier County has never relied on this resource even though SC pays an annual membership fee.

Why rely on tried and true methods when you can hire friends, family and neighbors to re-invent the wheel!?!

#3 Doug Moore, Seymour commented, on June 25, 2007 at 2:17 p.m.:

This is at least a step in the right direction. The key is going to be hiring inspectors who know and will do the job for which they are paid. Adoption of the 1999 building codes is one thing - enforcement is another issue altogether. Blind, no with no respect to who is fined for non-compliance will be essential to maintaining the Code Department integrity. I for one, as a licensed home inspector covering Knox and Surrounding counties applaude the move.