One year after building inspector Ron Mershon was fired, city officials in Wright City are looking at filling the position. Aldermen are gauging the interest and cost of contracting with an outside firm. But not everyone agrees with that move. Wright City Mayor Roy White disputes the city's need to spend money for a subcontractor when the job is already being performed by a city employee. "I am opposed to bringing in somebody from the outside as a code enforcer when we already have people on payroll that can do the job," White remarked at the city's last board meeting on July 9. Since Mershon's dismissal, Public Works Director Larry Janish added the duties of building inspector. The city has received interest from at least four area building inspecting firms, including two that attended the June 25 meeting and discussed their credentials. When learning that the city had not solicited bids by properly publishing a legal notice, city attorney Leslie Tolliver-Rogers advised that since city ordinances weren't clear, the city had to follow state statute. Aldermen unanimously approved a motion to advertise and seek qualifications from prospective firms. Earlier in the meeting, White believed he had the authority to recommend a firm to be voted on by the board, but declined to do so. "If we're not insuring our safety concerns are being addressed just because somebody is not properly trained, we're in essence not doing anything," Board President Jamey Abercrombie said. Mershon was fired last July for what city officials termed as a budgetary issue. He sued the city in an effort to reclaim his job but a settlement was reached before the case was heard by a judge. Mershon was paid $32,500 by the city's liability insurance company with the city responsible for a $5,000 deductible. The job responsibilities of a building inspector consist of inspecting new construction and evaluating various other construction permits. However, with Janish having only minimal training, aldermen feel it's time to hire an outside firm to deal with some of the issues popping up around town. Alderman Jim Schuchmann explained that "builders are trying to cut some corners." If the city contracted with an outside firm, an agreement would be reached between both parties regarding payment. The two firms that attended the June 25 meeting indicated their fee would range between 75 to 85 percent of the permit fee. "It's a situation where the city does not lose any money by subcontracting it out," Schuchmann said. "What we do is get a higher level of inspection." Abercrombie also acknowledged that no one in the public works department was interested in taking over the responsibilities of a building inspector without receiving a pay raise. White responded that he might change his mind on the issue if a member of the public works department was discharged to offset the payroll increase.   He believes Janish could be trained while continuing to fill the position. "I think Larry is smart enough to be certified," White said. "If he needs something for plumbing or electrical, then we can supply him with a book." Schuchmann said it would take two to four years for an individual to become fully certified as a building inspector. He believes the city would pay more money in the long run by sending an employee to school and needing to hire another person to fill the opening in the public works department.