By LEE HINNANT

What could have been a crisis for the constructions trades in Columbus County has apparently been resolved after the Building Inspections office effectively closed for two days this week.

Inspections Director Kenny Davis’ resignation was effective April 7, but he and county officials both said they would work out a plan for contract inspections until a certified inspector could come aboard.

Interim County Manager Jim Varner said he received Davis’ contract proposal late last week and wanted to negotiate. Davis worked on Monday, April 10, but withdrew his credentials and notified state officials he was finished as of that day.

As a result, no one could perform building, plumbing, electrical or heat and air conditioning inspections on Tuesday or Wednesday in rural Columbus County and six of the smaller towns. The county was able to arrange for an emergency inspection to re-connect an electric meter for one couple, Varner said. Records show there were a total of 22 requests for inspections Tuesday and Wednesday, the most extensive being for a restaurant under construction in Delco.

Varner said he thought he had an understanding that Davis would remain at his current salary of $40,900 a year until he and Davis could negotiate a short-term contract. “Kenny told me he would not pull his certification and I did not believe he would walk through the door,” Varner said.

“I am so sorry for any inconvenience and I know it’s an inconvenience,” he added.
There were two significant developments Wednesday.

Kyle Duncan – the county’s probationary inspector who had been working under Davis’ license – passed state examinations that now qualify him to do the basic level of inspections, said Susan Taylor, an official with the state Department of Insurance, which regulates the profession.

Also, Varner said he had a verbal agreement with an inspector who lives in Ash and works in Leland to handle more complex inspections. Varner said he expected that deal to be made final by today.

“We expect to be back in business,” Varner said.

At their April 3 meeting, county commissioners discussed what they called the problem of relatively low pay for certain county positions. Despite his full certification and more than two years on the job, Davis was being paid $40,900 a year. The salary for the inspector who handles only the City of Whiteville is about $42,000. Robeson County pays its chief inspector $65,000.

Commissioners learned that the loss of their only certified inspector could prove costly if state Department of Insurance officials had to take over. Those inspectors charge $150 per hour.

Davis’ contract proposal was that he be paid $2,500 every two weeks and that the county pay his FICA deductions and provide him with a county truck and fuel. He would not be a full-time employee and thus would not be part of the county’s health insurance or retirement plans. He would work on an “as-needed” basis.
Varner said he wanted to negotiate some of those points.

Davis did not return a message left on his cellular telephone.