Building inspection services in Armstrong are expanding.
The city’s contract with Outwest Building Inspection, a five-year deal, just completed its first year, and there’s a clause in the agreement that allows for an annual review of the rates and/or scope of services.
Outwest Building asked for an inflationary one per cent rate increase for the second year of the contract.
“Based on the current level of service, this would amount to an increase of $650 for the year,” said city chief financial officer Terry Martens.
The scope of services was reviewed, and Martens said due to the current building activity in the city, it would be prudent to amend the contract to allow for additional hours in order to provide more enhanced service to the citizens.
“Currently, building inspection services are provided on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week,” he said. “The current annual cost of the contract is $64,850.
Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 21, a total of $113,885 was recorded on the city books as building inspection revenue, with the revenue depending on building activity.
“If building activity continues to be robust, of which there is a high probability due to the current developments underway, expansion of the scope of service is warranted,” said Martens.
Council voted unanimously to amend the second year of the contract to include the one per cent inflation increase, and a service level increase from two to three days per week, which would cost the city $98,300.
“We can review this every year,” said Coun. Paul Britton. “If building stays strong, we can keep it at three days per week.”
“It’s sustainable and that’s what we were going for,” added Mayor Chris Pieper.