BEAUFORT COUNTY INSPECTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT

1. BEAUFORT COUNTY INSPECTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION SERVICE

2. IAS Building Department Accreditation Program • IAS accreditation provides national recognition that building departments are professionally qualified to serve their jurisdictions. • Accreditation of the building department provides independent third-party recognition that our organization has fulfilled specified requirements and is competent to carry out specific code enforcement tasks.

3. Benefits of Accreditation • Accreditation by IAS conveys formal recognition that a building department has demonstrated that it is technically competent to administer an effective system of code enforcement that is fair, equitable and benefits the community it serves. • The accreditation verifies that the Beaufort County Inspection and Code Enforcement Department is operating at the highest legal, ethical and technical standards. • Increased department efficiency, fewer complaints from the public and the potential for lower insurance premiums. • Preserves Property Values • Consumer Confidence

4. Accreditation Process

5. Stakeholders Input • County Administrator • Director of the Planning Department • Fire Chiefs Association • Chamber of Commerce • Home Builders Association • Local A.I.A. Chapter, HHI • Local S.E.A. Chapter, HHI • Director of Employee Services • Director of MIS • Zoning Administrator • Director of Public Service Department • Citizen Survey • Department Staff

6. Timeline • June 6, 2008 Sent initial documents for review • August 6, 2008 Received an email from IAS of preliminary findings • September 27, 2007 Filed Application • August 12, 2008 Received an email from Rick Archer regarding the review and items needing to be addressed. • September 2, 2008 Received email from Rick Archer stating the peer review should be completed by September 12, 2008 • November 26, 2008 Package sent to IAS responding to their preliminary review • December 2, 2008 Received confirmation they received our information • January 29, 2009 Received notice from IAS scheduling our pre-evaluation for March 2-3 • March 2-3 visited by Scott Cope and Dave Nelson of IAS

7. Timeline (continued) • March 3, 2009 Received follow up letter from Scott Cope regarding details of the pre-evaluation and received a copy of the IAS workbook • July 17, 2009 Provided items requested at the pre-evaluation • August 27, 2009 Received notice that the full evaluation was scheduled for September 14-17 • September 14-17 Full evaluation visit by representatives from IAS • October 19, 2009 Sent response to comments received during final evaluation. • November 30, 2009 Submitted final revised workbook • February 2, 2010 Received notice that the lead evaluator was unavailable until March 19, 2010 • March 19, 2010 Final IAS Board hearing by teleconference for approval • April 6, 2010 Final Accreditation Certificate Issued

8. Cost of Accreditation • Initial application………...3500.00 • Pre-evaluation review….4989.36 • Full evaluation…………..9734.97 • Total…………………….18,224.33

9. Summary • For us, accreditation is the benchmark of excellence. We wanted a report card of our performance. • By achieving accreditation, our residents and builders can have confidence in our ability to carry out our mission at the highest level of public service. • The process has helped us become more efficient, demand more of ourselves and to always seek new ways to improve the delivery of our service.

10. Status • The first Building Inspection Department in South Carolina to achieve this accreditation. • Beaufort County is one of thirteen in the country to have this accreditation.

11. CERTIFICATE