“Best Practices in the Permits and Inspection Division”
Lalo Flores, C.B.O.
Building Official
City of Missouri City

The Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) recently held their business meeting during the Texas Municipal League Conference in Grapevine Texas. Prior to that, BOAT board members solicited applications from cities that may have good operations practices that may want to be shared with fellow members. The following are excerpts from Mr. Flores’ presentation.

BOAT officials had a special interest in my mentioning that I had created a “plan review room" where representatives of my Permits and Inspections Division would allow representatives from Public Works, Engineering, Health and Planning to come in and review plans at that one site. This is in contrast to what we had been doing, requiring up to (5) sets of construction plans for each initial submittal / re-submittals, for each department mentioned. We now require (2) sets, one for the office and one to go back with the builder and to be made available at the job site. This process cuts the developer and builder plans costs considerably.

Another "Best Practice" I presented was our quarterly builder’s luncheon where we invite all builders and sub-contractors to a luncheon, where I make a code presentation, addressing such issues as re-inspections, code interpretations and applications, code changes, etc. We also have a question and answer period.

Another “Best Practice" presented is our use of Nextel phones to communicate with the builders and within the inspector ranks via cell phone or two way radio. We now call ahead of arrivals at job sites to let the builder know that the inspector will arrive within a specified time and allows the builder or superintendent to be present when he is conducting the inspection. This gives the builder an opportunity to be there if the job is turned down and can get a clear understanding as to why it was turned down.

I also publish a newsletter that informs the builders and others about construction code changes and other relevant news whether it is from local, state or federal authorities.
(Download a pdf sample copy here. )

All of this is done in an effort to provide better customer service to all who conduct business with our city.

( Download the Powerpoint presentation here .)