Keller City Council unanimously approved a contract with Safebuilt Texas LLC to provide third-party fire inspection services for the city at the meeting.
The gist
Officials approved a one-year, $109,100 contract with the third-party company, with the option to renew the contract for up to four additional one-year terms, according to city documents.
While the city has performed all fire inspections and fire plan reviews in-house in the past, this contract was approved due to increased development activity and the need to ensure timely plan reviews and inspections, according to city documents.
Rachel Reynolds, the city’s Communication and Public Engagement manager, said the contract will replace the current fire inspector position and save money for the city. She said fire prevention responsibilities would no longer rely on the bandwidth or work schedules of city staff.
The contract will be funded through the Fire Department’s operating budget provided through the general fund.
Also of note
City Council members also approved new fees for public information requests. The city has not charged requestors for copies of public information in the past, but the amount of requests have increasingly impacted staff time and city resources, according to city documents.
The Texas Public Information Act requires governmental bodies to release information in response to a request, according to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office. Cost rules allow for the city of Keller to charge for copies of data manipulation, computer resources, overhead and other miscellaneous supplies.
