MANSFIELD — Stephen Risser wants to improve software technology in the Richland County Building Department, an effort he said Thursday will streamline the permitting process and also allow for a streamlined office staff.
The Richland County Board of Commissioners like the idea and approved his request to apply for a $100,000 to $125,000 federal grant through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.
What does the Richland County Building Dept. do?
The Richland County Building Department enforces code requirements and regulates the construction of buildings and structures within the department’s jurisdiction.
The office reviews all plans and issues all permits required by the applicable, current codes for the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, and location to all commercial and residential buildings and structures.
Its primary mission is to insure the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Richland County and the areas under its jurisdiction.
Source: Richland County Building Department website
“We’re holding our own now, but we want to continue this improvement and make things better (and) make it more accessible for customers,” said Risser, who returned in February in 2024 to lead the county building department.
The director said the improved software would help automate some of the department’s intake processes and generate documents automatically to be given to customers.
It would eliminate some of the need for pen-and-ink paperwork and provide “just an overall improvement in customer service and effectiveness,” he said.
The building department lost a full-time clerk in 2023 and Risser said a part-time clerk is expected to retire in 2025.
“So we have those two positions. The full-time slot was not filled. We have been holding our own. It’s been a little dicey at times,” he said.
He said the improved software would allow his office to keep both positions open.
“Eventually when our building official retires … he’s looking at retirement most likely sometime next year … we’ll be able to hopefully free up some of the general administrative tasks that are handled by (the staff in terms of) inspectors, clerks, building officials and the plans examiner.
“Again, it’s to make things a little more efficient,” said Risser, a Lexington High School graduate who earned a civil engineering degree from The Ohio State University in 2022.
Risser was the director of building regulations for Richland County from 2003 to 2016. His roles included sanitary and stormwater engineer and floodplain administrator for the county.
He moved across Park Avenue East in 2016 and spent five years working for the City of Mansfield as its chief building officer and deputy city engineer before taking a state position as the chief building official for the Ohio Dept. of Commerce’s Division of Industrial Compliance.
County commissioners convinced him to return a year ago.
The software would allow customers to more easily view their documents and see where their project is in the review and approval process. It would also allow for easier requests for information, Risser said.
He said no specific software vendor has been selected. The preliminary deadline for the grant, which requires a 25-percent local match, is due by Jan. 31. If the project is selected, the final application is due by the end of March.
Risser said he expects to know by summer if the grant is approved and the funds should be received by the end of the year.
He estimated the software program required would cost in the $60,000 to $70,000 range to purchase and implement and would have an annual maintenance fee in the $20,000 to $35,000 range.
Commissioners said Risser should plan on the new software package even if the grant is not approved.
“Even if we don’t get the grant, this is something we should probably consider with capital money,” Commissioner Tony Vero said.
Risser said his office also has funds its capital line item that could be used in the purchase.
