The Town of Culver is partnering with Marshall County for building and planning services. County Building Commissioner Chuck DeWitt has been selected to serve as the town’s new building commissioner. He replaces Russ Mason, who stepped down in October.
Rather than simply hire DeWitt directly, Town Manager Jonathan Leist says Culver has decided to go through Marshall County, instead. Leist discussed an intergovernmental agreement with the county commissioners Tuesday. “I think originally, we tried to figure out is there a way where he can do it outside of county hours,” Leist said, “but I think we’d get a better service for the town, residents, and the people applying if Chuck would be able to just answer phone calls or answer questions people have during the day.” Culver used to require its building commissioner to have nine office hours a week, but Leist said the county’s online permitting system has reduced the need for the building commissioner to be in the office.
DeWitt added that a significant amount of his job with the county already takes place in Culver, “The couple big things that I would be doing is when I go out to do my footer inspections, I would also do the setback inspection at that time, which I normally don’t do, Russ would’ve been doing that; and also check for the erosion control.” He would also have to attend plan commission and BZA meetings.
The Marshall County Commissioners approved the one-year intergovernmental agreement with Culver Tuesday. It calls for the the town to pay the county $2,000 for DeWitt’s services.
Leist said it was modeled on the county’s agreement with the City of Plymouth, allowing Marshall County Plan Director Ralph Booker to also work as Plymouth’s plan director. Under that arrangement, the City of Plymouth actually has two separate contracts: one with Marshall County for Booker’s work during county business hours and one with Booker for work at other times.
