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IBTS questioned at jury meeting
IBTS, the organization contracted by Franklin Parish to perform building inspections and permitting, was the subject of comments and questioning at the police jury's monthly meeting Thursday.
Greg Blount, Louisiana branch manager of IBTS, was asked by jury president Harvey Ray Guimbellot to attend the meeting to respond to citizen complaints that IBTS is unreasonable when enforcing building codes.
"Too 'strict' is the main word I am getting," Guimbellot said of the complaints.
Jurors Buddy Parks and Ricky Campbell said they were getting the same complaints from constituents.
Blount said without being given specific information on what is being disputed, there was little he could do.
"I cannot make any corrective action without knowing the house, issue or problem," Blount said.
An audience member claimed a church was cited for 16 violations in one area, but Larry Walters, chief building official, said that was not true.
While there were issues with Calvary Baptist Church in Baskin making an addition without a permit, there were not 16 code violations regarding an overhang, Walters said.
Juror Campbell said if he'd have known Blount was going to appear before the jury, he'd have asked people in his district claiming problems with IBTS to attend the meeting.
To clarify the issues, the jury decided to hold readdress the problems at the next jury meeting, Sept. 11, so those with complaints could attend and question Blount and Walters directly.
Blount said his company follows the minimum code standards set by law and all inspection reports are on file in the police jury office and can be examined at any time.
Blount also said he would personally go to any site where the owner disputed an inspection report and go over the findings with them. |
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