Slabaugh Likes New Role As City Building Inspector
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Todd Slabaugh didn't think he'd become the Warsaw building commissioner when he was hired as an inspector four months ago.
When Art Heredia resigned this spring, however, Slabaugh nailed down the higher office and seems right at home.
"I love it," he said of the job.
Employed in the building industry most of his working life, Slabaugh's last job was with Schult Homes Corp., in Etna Green, as a quality control inspector. He spent six years as a private building inspector.
"Here I thought my last job was the best job," he said of the position he took two months ago.
The commissioner and Roger Long serve as building inspectors. He said the pair are making ends meet.
As commissioner, he is responsible for inspecting new structures and improvement projects.
Permits are required for improvements costing $1,500 or more, including material and labor. Inspectors may stop by during any phase of a project.
A 3-inch-thick state code book sits on the bookshelf in Slabaugh's office. Inside are structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing standards.
Taking an educational and supportive role, the building staff will review information outlined in the permit application.
"We want to feel comfortable with the proposed plans. We're not going to hit people over the head with the code book," he said of the heavy-looking volume. "There are a lot of ways to meet code."
One of the first tasks Slabaugh, Long and administrative assistant Gisele Cox tackled was cleaning up and clearing out old files.
He said there were a lot of files that had been started and never had any follow-through.
For example, four months ago there were 78 folders for reroofing projects, some dating back to 1998.
Today, there are 25 and half of them are new.
Although code enforcement is still part of the building department's responsibility, the office now refrains from taking anonymous complaints.
"It eliminates the element of revenge," he said. "We'll still respond to legitimate complaints.
"It's a different direction. We want the public to be aware we are here and create an atmosphere where people feel helped rather than persecuted."
That doesn't mean the commissioner turns a blind eye to code violations he sees while driving around the city.
Ensuring that all buildings are safe and secure is the main mission of the department.
They are aware of buildings deemed unsafe and are "slowly pecking away" at those.
Construction of the Wal-Mart SuperCenter at the corner of U.S. 30 and Ind. 15 is in his jurisdiction and Slabaugh has nothing but praise for the construction company in charge.
"All they do is build super Wal-Marts," he said. "The architect's design meets and exceeds all codes. The construction company goes above and beyond that."
Currently there are 12 to 15 outstanding commercial building permits in the city and more than 100 residential permits.
The planning department staff scouts building sites before the building department issues a permit to ensure zoning requirements are met.
"This is a real good team," the commissioner said. "The communication is great and it's homemade. We didn't have to go to a workshop to find out how to get along."
The planning and building and code enforcement departments are in the same building at 794 W. Center St. The telephone number is 372-9548. [[In-content Ad]]
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Todd Slabaugh didn't think he'd become the Warsaw building commissioner when he was hired as an inspector four months ago.
When Art Heredia resigned this spring, however, Slabaugh nailed down the higher office and seems right at home.
"I love it," he said of the job.
Employed in the building industry most of his working life, Slabaugh's last job was with Schult Homes Corp., in Etna Green, as a quality control inspector. He spent six years as a private building inspector.
"Here I thought my last job was the best job," he said of the position he took two months ago.
The commissioner and Roger Long serve as building inspectors. He said the pair are making ends meet.
As commissioner, he is responsible for inspecting new structures and improvement projects.
Permits are required for improvements costing $1,500 or more, including material and labor. Inspectors may stop by during any phase of a project.
A 3-inch-thick state code book sits on the bookshelf in Slabaugh's office. Inside are structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing standards.
Taking an educational and supportive role, the building staff will review information outlined in the permit application.
"We want to feel comfortable with the proposed plans. We're not going to hit people over the head with the code book," he said of the heavy-looking volume. "There are a lot of ways to meet code."
One of the first tasks Slabaugh, Long and administrative assistant Gisele Cox tackled was cleaning up and clearing out old files.
He said there were a lot of files that had been started and never had any follow-through.
For example, four months ago there were 78 folders for reroofing projects, some dating back to 1998.
Today, there are 25 and half of them are new.
Although code enforcement is still part of the building department's responsibility, the office now refrains from taking anonymous complaints.
"It eliminates the element of revenge," he said. "We'll still respond to legitimate complaints.
"It's a different direction. We want the public to be aware we are here and create an atmosphere where people feel helped rather than persecuted."
That doesn't mean the commissioner turns a blind eye to code violations he sees while driving around the city.
Ensuring that all buildings are safe and secure is the main mission of the department.
They are aware of buildings deemed unsafe and are "slowly pecking away" at those.
Construction of the Wal-Mart SuperCenter at the corner of U.S. 30 and Ind. 15 is in his jurisdiction and Slabaugh has nothing but praise for the construction company in charge.
"All they do is build super Wal-Marts," he said. "The architect's design meets and exceeds all codes. The construction company goes above and beyond that."
Currently there are 12 to 15 outstanding commercial building permits in the city and more than 100 residential permits.
The planning department staff scouts building sites before the building department issues a permit to ensure zoning requirements are met.
"This is a real good team," the commissioner said. "The communication is great and it's homemade. We didn't have to go to a workshop to find out how to get along."
The planning and building and code enforcement departments are in the same building at 794 W. Center St. The telephone number is 372-9548. [[In-content Ad]]