Atlas Twp.-On April 20 the township board of trustees voted 4-1 to pay Matt Hart a salary of $45,000 per year as building inspector. Shirley Kautman Jones, township supervisor voted no. Trustees Barry June, Patrick Major along with Clerk Teri Onica and Treasurer Anne Marie Moore voted yes. In addition Hart will be compensate for millage and cell. The cost to the township will be $49,384.50 with the addition of taxes and Workmen’s Compensation.
According to W-2 reports, Hart’s pay was $41,284 in 2014, $39,597 in 2013 and $34,225 in 2012. Prior to Monday’s pay change he had been compensated at a rate of $35 per inspection and $26 per hour. Hart also serves as the township code enforcer of which there were 10 violations in 2014. Hart was self-employed for six years as a residential contractor prior to starting with the township in 2005. He also oversees all the township owned property including the township hall and cemeteries. The village of Goodrich is not included in the townships jurisdiction
‘The board voted for no raises for this fiscal last year,? said Kautman-Jones in opposition. ‘That included the elected officials, firefighters and deputies. If the answer is no for one person it should be no for everyone. The pay hike almost constitutes a 10 percent raise and there is just not enough details in the agreement to warrant such a raise.?
In addition to Atlas Township, Hart is the building inspector for Vienna Township. He also assigns the trades for inspection for Thetford and Forest townships located in northern Genesee County.
‘When you have a person that provides services to other communities, they almost become an independent contractor,? added Jones. ‘I see this arrangement as problematic and not in the best interest of the township. Matt did not ask for a cell phone but they gave him one anyway. I have nothing against his work only the compensation.?
Township trustee Barry June supported the pay adjustment.
‘It’s a good value for the township,? said June. ‘The building activity is going up in the township and the (building) department is now generating about $36,000 per year. In reality only $9,000 will come out of the general fund based on Hart’s $45,000 salary. In the years he has been with the township they have no complaints and if you need an inspection he’s on the job. It’s a reasonable request to even out his pay each month rather than hourly. It’s a great deal for the township.?
Hart emphasized that due to the nature of the building industry he receives many phone calls at all hours of the day making salaried compensation the fairest method of payment.
‘My cell phone is my office,? he said. ‘I’m on call all the time. It’s important for contractors to keep working without delays.?
Hart also recommend a change in the township inspections for obtaining plumbing, mechanical and electrical approvals for buildings. Currently the State of Michigan has jurisdiction over all inspections, however Hart recommended using local inspectors that he will contact and assign to the builder when a permit is needed.
‘The state inspectors are stretched thin,? said Hart. ‘We’ve had instances where its been a week or two before they arrive. When residents are building a home they want to it done and move in. I like to be proactive and help families out when building a home and not slam the door. We are also keeping the trades local and there will be a cost savings passed on to both the township and the builder.?
‘The township would see revenue from issuing the permits,? he added. ‘Rather than sending the fees to the state they would stay right here. The next step is for the township to pass an ordnance approving the trades. I will provide the necessary distribution methods for setting up the program. When it’s complete the township will be able to provide 95 percent of the permits.?