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Interim Building Chief Takes The Helm

By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: September 16, 2008

Updated: 09/16/2008 10:21 am

BROOKSVILLE - The Grant Tolbert era officially ended Friday with the retirement of the Hernando County building director.
For 18 years, Tolbert guided the department ship, often traversing some rough waters with builders who sometimes complained of interminably long delays obtaining permits and the hassles of the permitting process.
But this week, a new man is at the helm: Jim Paleveda was tabbed by county commissioners to serve as interim director.
At least for the meantime.
The county is in the process of reorganizing many of its departments, and the building department is no exception.
In fact, while Paleveda will have the title of interim director, a development department management team will maintain the daily operations.
That team consists of Paleveda, the department office manager, deputy building official and finance specialist.
Paleveda is with Tampa-based Quorum Services, which has already been assisting the building department with commercial plan reviews and residential inspections.
Quorum, which is paid on an as-needed basis, came on board about two years ago during the peak of the housing boom.
At the time, Tolbert said his department couldn't hire people fast enough so he contracted with two private firms — including Quorum — for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical inspectors and plans examiners.
The real estate market downturn forced Tolbert to lay off personnel and drop one of those firms.
Dudley Hampton Jr., president of the Hernando Builders Association, said builders have had issues with the building department but he bears no ill will toward Tolbert.
"Grant obviously had to meet his obligations as a building official and what's mandated by the state," Hampton said.
One of the things Hampton hopes Paleveda will continue is the monthly meetings with builders to address any of their concerns.
Opening the lines of communications and customer service are key to a good working relationship, he said.
Hampton said the building industry remains soft. To help keep afloat, he and other builders are doing remodeling projects and room additions.
Once the existing home inventory starts shrinking, the new home construction should rebound, he said.