PGH Controller: Inspection Bureau Needs to Prioritize

The Pittsburgh City Controller’s office says the Bureau of Building Inspection needs to implement a new system to prioritize the way complaints are handled. Controller Michael Lamb’s audit found 16%, or a little more than 5,000 complaints from 2006 and 2007 remained unresolved. He says many of them are “serious complaints such as those involving fire prevention and unsafe building conditions.” Lamb says right now which complaint is handled seems to have more to do with geography than importance. Lamb says the bureau also needs to look at ways to use more technology for its permit issuance function including the use of an on line application form for smaller projects including home improvements. Lamb says with a few changes the bureau should be able to deal with its workload using its current staffing level.