Health officials weighing inspection software proposals

Health officials say the online inspection systems they are considering adopting could prove beneficial for other county departments.

Department chief Kathi Hooper included the proposal in a list of requests likely eligible for local American Rescue Plan Act dollars last year. Citing the possible cost savings with switching from paper to digital records, county commissioners approved the roughly $10,000 ask in late November.

Nick Raines, an environmental health specialist with the department, said he was reviewing software packages from three vendors and ruled one out thus far. While each of the systems will boost efficiency, Raines said the department also is looking at whether the software makes information more readily accessible to the public.

“One of the big focuses is not just that inspection piece, but also really trying to get as much information out to the public as possible,” he said. “We’re doing as much as we can online, getting things like existing permits out online as opposed to [residents having] to call or stop in with us.”

Hooper touted the possible savings in time that came with residents pulling records rather than requesting department staff dig up documents.

“It could save us hours and hours a day in what we’re doing, just looking up paperwork for people,” she said.

That appealed to county commissioners Jerry Bennett and Brent Teske.

“You look at the cost of an individual versus the cost of a program, there really is no comparison,” Bennett said. “Plus, it puts the onus on the person searching — not the department. It’s really a win-win.”

Familiar with digging through paper records, Teske saw an advantage of doing the research through an online portal.

“I spend a lot of time trying to search stuff out, so it would be nice to have that database,” Teske said.

Raines said he also was keeping an eye on whether the software pitched by vendors could work across county departments.

“If there is interest with other county departments, maybe there is an option to expand in the future,” he said.

Teske applauded the health department staff for considering broader applications.

“I like it when they can [cooperate] with other departments and make it work,” he said.