Algonquin, Carpentersville to share inspectors

Algonquin will begin to conduct some building inspections for Carpentersville at the rate of $58 per hour.

Both village boards approved the intergovernmental agreement on Tuesday night, a move that Carpentersville Trustee Paul Humpfer called important.

“We're finding ways to work with our neighbors, and hopefully save some dollars,” he said.

Carpentersville Village Manager Mark Rooney said that last month the number of staff members who can conduct building inspections in Carpentersville was reduced from four to two, at a savings of about $160,000 per year including salaries and benefits.

“What can't be handled internally we'll charge at the hourly rate,” Rooney said.

The rate negotiated with Algonquin is $10 to $15 lower than what private companies charge for inspections, and will mostly be covered by proceeds from building permits, he added.

Algonquin Building Commissioner Craig Arps said the village's seven building, electric, plumbing and property maintenance inspectors have the extra time to conduct inspections in Carpentersville.

“We've had more of our inspectors' time free up over last year or so since the economic downtown,” Arps said. “This is going to be a win-win situation for both communities.”

Arps said he couldn't estimate how many residential and commercial inspections the village will conduct in Carpentersville each year. However, Algonquin business would always take precedence, he said.

Based on how things go with Carpentersville, Algonquin might consider enacting similar agreements with other municipalities, Arps said.

“We'll pilot this program and see how it goes. If there are other communities in the area that think they can benefit, we certainly welcome the conversation.”

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Lenore Adkins contributed to this report.