Franklin BOC Looks at Overhaul of County’s Building Inspection Program

Franklin County Commission Chair Jeff Jacques has announced plans by the Board of Commissioners to overhaul the current Building Inspection Program.

At their work session Tuesday evening, Jacques went into some detail as to why the County will begin looking at setting up an in-house inspection and permitting system.

Jacques first cited complaints from citizens regarding the delays and the cost for builders and private citizens during the building and inspection process.

“I have heard from citizens across this county. I have had conversations with pastors. I have had conversations with business people. I have conversations with people trying to build homes for themselves or their families. I have had conversations with people in the ag industry,” he said. “What has been adopted, while absolutely well-intentioned and I fully understand the reason and the methodology, was to circumvent a few that were coming into this county and not adhering to the Georgia building standards and creating unsafe situations for themselves and or otherwise. However, what has happened, by the adoption of this particular program, it has imposed a significant burden on our citizens; both financially, timewise, and stress-wise.”

Currently, the County uses Bureau Veritas out of Jackson County to do the inspections and permitting for Franklin County.

After hearing complaints, Jacques researched what neighboring counties charge. At last month’s meeting, Jacques read a list of fees charged by Bureau Veritas in Franklin County compared to what neighboring counties charge.

“Just one particular comparison of a development that is going on in Franklin County. This is a commercial business. Had this business applied for a permit in Madison County, the total cost, this is everything – inspections, the whole works – $1,450; in Stephens County, $190; Hart County, $25; Franklin County, $11,696; Jackson County, $2,923. We are a county that wants to foster business. We want to minimize and alleviate the burden on our citizens,” he said.

At Tuesday’s work session, Jacques said he intends to call for a moratorium on the County’s Building Inspection Program at next week’s regular meeting.

“This is a work session and I am basically advising, and this has been done in consultation with my colleagues here on the Board and with County staff, at our meeting Monday night I will be formally making a motion that the building inspections and permitting which was constituted on the June 17, 2020 ordinance, that we place a full moratorium on this particular document,” he announced.

The current Building Inspection Program was passed by the Board in August 2020 and outlines what the County will do to ensure contractors and tradesmen follow Georgia’s minimum building standards for new construction, renovations, and additions to residential and commercial properties.

However, the County contracted with Bureau Veritas to do inspections and permitting.

If the moratorium passes next week, it would not include the contract with Bureau Veritas and they will continue to do inspections for the time being.

Jacques said the current Building Inspections Program, however, would be revamped and expanded to include the municipalities.

“But what we are looking at is an inspections program that potentially would be brought in-house,” he explained. “We are currently looking at a collaborative effort with Lavonia,  Royston, Franklin Springs, and the City of Carnesville – all contributing to one inspections department which we could refine and reduce. It would provide uniformity for anything that anyone wants to do in this County, wherever you’re wanting to conduct business, same process.”

No vote was taken Tuesday night but after hearing from Jacques, Board members agreed there needs to be a change in the Building Inspection Program.

The Board of Commissioners plans to vote on the moratorium Monday night at their regular meeting which begins at 6p at the Justice Center in Carnesville.