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i M M <br />Director Keating reported that another requirement from the <br />State is for certification of building inspectors, plan examiners <br />and building code officials. We are fortunate that our inspectors <br />are already certified under one process. Our staff is well trained <br />and will be in a position to comply with the certification <br />requirements as they are phased in during the next two-year period. <br />Director Rymer stressed that standard certification has to be <br />maintained, which means we will have to cross train our staff. <br />Commissioner Bird didn't know whom to convey our concerns to <br />about the additional time and additional cost these changes have <br />caused, and Commissioner Eggert suggested that we write State <br />Representative Charles Sembler. <br />Commissioner Macht advised that he has added this matter to <br />his mandate list and will discover what we can do about it. <br />Ray Scent, 1605 71st Court, voiced his objection to the County <br />hiring more staff and incurring the expense of verifying plans <br />sealed by an engineer or architect. He suggested, instead of <br />spending hours and hours checking out sealed plans, that we do a <br />random check. If we find that the plans are not sufficient or that <br />the plans are not being followed, we should get those who are <br />responsible. A random check would free up more people to do actual <br />field inspections. <br />Director Keating explained that the Building Division is an <br />enterprise account and no tax money goes for that. The cost of the <br />Building Division is completely funded by the users of the <br />services. Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes specifies what we <br />have to do regarding building inspections and review of plans. <br />Every county is doing the same thing, but up to this time there <br />were no requirements to review plans sealed by an engineer or <br />architect. <br />Commissioner Adams emphasized that we are under emergency rule <br />because of the damage done by Hurricane Andrew. <br />By consensus, the Board instructed appropriate staff to write <br />a letter to State Representative Charles Sembler informing him of <br />the tremendous impact these requirements are having on affordable <br />housing costs in Indian River County; asking him to review the <br />situation and come back to us about how this came about; asking him <br />whether the DCA has the right to invoke these requirements; and <br />whether there is any concern from other counties to have the DCA <br />reconsider these new requirements. <br />17 <br />L FEB 15 190M <br />