by Leah Justice
leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

Polk County is clearly seeing the impact the new Tryon International Equestrian Center is having on the area.

Recent increases in building inspections have caused the need for a level III inspector, mainly for recent and projected growth at the equestrian center, located off Pea Ridge Road.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 17 and approved the hiring of a new code enforcement officer for building inspections at an annual salary of $59,577, including benefits.

Polk County Building Inspector Steve Jones presented commissioners with statistics related to the increases in inspections and projections of future inspections that will be needed at the equestrian center.

Jones said most of the inspections needed at the center are level III. The county currently does not have a level III certified inspector. Jones said he is seeking a level III inspector because most of the equestrian center inspections require a level III inspector, particularly for the hotel. Jones is a level II inspector.

Jones also told commissioners he plans on retiring in 2017 and part of the plans are to have the new inspector replace Jones.

Jones compared inspections conducted in the county since 2012, showing a substantial increase in both the number of inspections and in the revenue that inspections are bringing into the county.

In 2012, Polk County completed 410 inspections (43 residential and eight commercial). In 2013, the county completed 444 inspections (47 residential and eight commercial). As of Oct. 31, 2014 Polk County has completed 486 inspections (54 residential and 25 commercial).

Jones said he projects that by the end of 2014, the office will make 64 residential inspections and 30 commercial inspections, for a total of 583. The yearly totals are from Jan. 1-Dec. 31.

Permit fees collected have also risen dramatically since 2012. Fees collected in the building inspection department included $96,587 in 2012, $96,597 in 2013 and $147,138 as of Oct. 31 this year, according to Jones.

Jones said the county budgeted to take in $96,650 this year in revenues with actual revenues totaling $149,331 this year.

Jones also reviewed the projected growth of the Tryon International Equestrian Center and known inspections coming in 2015.

Jones said there are five cabins, 14 vendor buildings, two barns and grooms quarters consisting of 54 rooms to be permitted and complete by April 2015 at the equestrian center.

Projected to be permitted in 2015 at the equestrian center, Jones said, are 20 cabins, a sports complex, a hotel consisting of 150 rooms, commercial retail buildings and an international stadium/seating. Jones said the stadium is estimated to start in January 2015 and a resort and spa is also planned, with no details yet on a start date, but estimates are for the resort/spa not to begin for two years.

Jones said the equestrian center has made a big impact on activities in the building inspection office. He said the permit fees for the hotel alone will be approximately $15,000.

Jones also suggested the county hire an inspector already certified as a level III inspector because it would cost the county $15,000, and it would take three years, to train someone. Jones said without a level III inspector, Polk would have to contract out inspection services to Rutherford County.

Commissioners approved the hire, which will include $29,788 in the salary for the current fiscal year and a vehicle, estimated at $28,000, for a total of $57,788 added to the budget this year. Commissioners decided to take this year’s salary and vehicle out of fund balance.