Title
Development Services Department recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer decreasing General Fund Contingency by $100,000 and increasing appropriations in Development Services by $100,000 to fund a training program for employees on the 2010 Building Codes, scheduled for implementation in 2011. (4/5 vote required)(Est. Time: 20 Min.)
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$100,000 |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$100,000 |
Contingency |
Total Funding Available |
$ |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$100,000 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: Decrease in General Fund Contingency resulting in an increase in Net County Cost of $100,000 in Development Services.
Background: The California Building Codes are updated on a three-year cycle, with the 2010 Building Codes representing the most comprehensive changes in recent history. This $100,000 contingency expenditure will support a training program for employees, enabling them to implement the new Codes and assist the private sector in understanding and complying with the new Codes.
The training program will begin in January 2011, and extend through June 2011. Training program expenditures will include: $75,000 for extra help staffing to cover inspections while permanent staff is training; $20,000 for course costs, materials, and contract training; and $5,000 for overtime to manage workload.
The $75,000 in extra help costs will fund two extra help Building Inspector IIs and one Office Assistant II, a maximum of six months each. The primary role of the extra help staff is to cover the existing Building Safety Division workload while other employees are training. The Building Safety Division FY 10/11 budget contains no funds for extra help staff.
The $20,000 in training expenditures addresses the cost of course work, materials, and contract instructors. The Building Safety Division budget in FY 10/11 for staff development is $3,800. DSD plans to schedule approximately 60 full days of classroom training, providing five training days for each affected staff member. The primary focus of the training will be the 2010 updates to the Building Codes. TRPA procedures and water quality regulations will also be covered.
Also included in the training program will be 120 full days of in-house training. Equally important as formal instruction, the in-house training will include plan reviews and field inspection training. This training format is highly effective. A small group of Building Inspectors will review a set of new-construction building plans and conduct on-site inspections. The inspectors will discuss compliance with the new codes, changes from the previous codes, identify issues and resolve interpretations. By working together, the Building Safety Division will move forward with a consistent understanding and application of the 2010 Building Codes.
The $5,000 in overtime will address workload management during training and the months following the training effort. It is anticipated that during the initial stages of implementation, field inspections and plan reviews will require additional time as the inspection and engineering staff become more conversant with the 2010 Code. The Building Safety Division has no overtime budget for FY 10/11.
This is a one-time request for $100,000 from the General Fund Contingency for one time expenses. The Development Services Department budget for FY 11/12 will include budget proposals for extra help, training, and overtime, but it will not be directly related to this special effort regarding the 2010 Building Codes.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Development Services Department will proceed with training program and work with Human Resources to fill the extra help positions.
Contact: Roger Trout, Ext. 5369