The Wood County Building Inspection Office has been given a statewide award for its
service to customers.
The Ohio Board of Building Standards has awarded the department the David A. Smith
Jr. Award for Building Department Excellence.
The Board created this award to recognize the work of certified building departments
that exemplify the board’s vision: To be a national leader in promoting a safer
built environment for Ohio’s citizens through knowledge, training, service, and
technology. The board is particularly interested in innovative approaches
employed by building departments which demonstrate a high level of customer
service.
Dave Smith served on the Board of Building Standards as the structural engineer
member from 1994 until 2010. The Board of Building Standards created the award
in his honor to recognize the work of building departments particularly in the
area of customer service.
The Wood County office was one of 10 building inspection departments nominated for
the award.
"We’ve made a lot of changes in the last few years," said Mike Rudey, chief
of the building inspection office. "I think they were impressed with some
of the things we are doing."
As part of the selection process, the state board made a series of "secret
shopper" calls to the building inspection offices, checking on customer
service.
"It’s all about customer service," Rudey said.
The office has also expanded its use of technology, Rudey said, making it easier for
inspectors to do data entry. The office also now accepts permit payments by
credit card, so it can be done over the phone.
"It’s made a big difference," he said. "We expedite plans as fast as
possible. Our objective is not to hold up a project."
The next step will be to allow online permitting, Rudey said.