Todd Fiscal Court met in regular session this morning and chose not to vote on second reading of a building inspection ordinance.

First reading of the proposal passed, which would make Pat Rhodes the primary inspector of homes and commercial businesses under construction in the county. The devil is in the details; however, as Judge Executive Darryl Greenfield became aware this week that the state mandated requirements for inspection ordinances require counties to inspect additions to homes in addition to new homes.

Judge Greenfield said he never wanted a person who was building a deck onto his home to have to pay for an inspection that likely isn’t necessary.

The Judge says if the ordinance passes, an exact amount on what will be charged would have to be set—probably somewhere in the 300 to 400 dollar range.

The idea of the ordinance is to protect the buyer from a builder looking to make a quick dollar by building sub-standard homes. Magistrate Brent Spurlin pointed out a recent inspection on a farm in Allensville, where a home was built with a “footer” that was set on top of the ground.

Magistrates asked for the public to let them know how they feel before the next meeting, which will be February 10^th.

In other business, Todd County Coroner Bob Whittlesey said the doctor who performed autopsies at the medical examiner’s office in Madisonville has resigned and officials have been unable to find a replacement for her.

The coroner says after an unsuccessful search, the state decided to cease performing autopsies in Madisonville and all local cases will now have to be taken to Louisville if an examination is needed after a suspicious death.

He says that will put an extra cost and logistical burden on the county, but there isn’t anything that can be done.

                                                **

01/27/2012/am