City looks to fund building code inspector

Fairfield City Administrator Jeff Clawson has the codes ready to go for implementation of the International Building Code.

During Saturday?s city council work session, Clawson reported the next steps will be finalizing internal policy and identifying funding ? an estimated $60,000 to $75,000 including benefits ? for a full-time inspector.

He said the council will hear more about the code once, or if, the position is funded.

Clawson said a copy of the code has been provided to Fairfield Economic Development Association Executive Director Brent Willett, so he can review it with the manufacturers. Clawson?s looking for ?buy-in? from that group.

?The last time they hammered us,? said councilman Ron Adam, referring to previous attempts to pass a building code that was strongly opposed by manufacturers.

?I?m not going to tell you that they?re going to be excited about paying additional fees, but I think they understand where we?re going with this. I think I?m getting them comfortable with the direction we?re going,? Clawson said. He noted the code isn?t aimed so much at regulating minor internal changes as new construction.

In the next fiscal year, Clawson also is interested in creating some Tax Increment Financing districts to boost commercial growth.

Clawson is suggesting a TIF more like what was granted to the AmericInn hotel developers, where the city faces no upfront debt, but instead promises developers a property tax rebate.

For the complete article, see the Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.