Centre Officials Discuss Expanding Building Department to Support Growth
CENTRE — As the City of Centre prepares for potential growth from new corporate investment and housing development, city officials say expanding resources within the Building Department will be necessary to keep pace with demand.
The discussion took place during a meeting of the Centre Building Committee on Friday, March 27, where Building Inspector Raymond Matthews outlined both immediate needs and long-term plans for the department.
Matthews told committee members that the city is already beginning to see increased interest from corporations looking to invest in the area, along with early stages of new housing developments. However, infrastructure limitations—particularly with water and sewer services—have slowed development in some areas.
To help manage current and future activity, Matthews requested the addition of a dedicated clerk for the department as well as a dedicated email line to improve communication with contractors, realtors, and corporate representatives.
“We need to get this in place as soon as possible,” Matthews said, noting that improved support will help the department respond more efficiently to inquiries and development requests.
Matthews also discussed long-term planning for the department as Centre continues to grow. He proposed that funding be included in next year’s city budget for a replacement building inspector position. The goal would be to allow a new inspector to work alongside the current inspector for approximately one year, ensuring adequate training before a transition expected around 2027.
As part of the planning process, Matthews said the city has reviewed how other municipalities of similar size structure their building departments. He noted that one comparison city with a population of approximately 7,000 has implemented staffing structures that help manage development activity more effectively.
“With the growth we’re experiencing, we have to focus on delegation,” Matthews told the committee.
Currently, Matthews said the department faces challenges responding as quickly as needed to calls and requests from those involved in development projects. He believes additional staffing and improved organizational structure will help address those issues.
City leaders say strengthening the Building Department will be an important step in ensuring Centre is prepared for future growth while maintaining the level of professionalism seen in surrounding communities.
