By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BLUE ASH - Layoffs of four building inspectors are expected Friday as the city moves to contract out its building services.

Council will vote today whether to hire National Inspection Corp. of Dayton, Ohio to provide building inspections, a move that City Manager Marvin Thompson said would save about $100,000 a year.

The firm provides inspection services to several communities in Greater Cincinnati, he said.

A decline in construction, blamed on the economy and a lack of open land for new subdivisions, triggered the decision to eliminate the inspectors, city officials said.

"It' not only down, it's unpredictable," Councilman Mark Weber said. "This way, we only have to engage the service of inspectors when we really need them."

If council approves the contract, National Inspection Corp. will start reviewing building plans and performing inspections on Tuesday.

Councilwoman Stephanie Stoller indicated she is willing to give privatization a try, but included a caveat.

"We have to wait and see if it's going to work. It sounds like an interesting idea but it has to prove itself," she said.

Lois McKnight, who oversees the building division as the community development director, as well as two clerks, will remain on the job.

However, McKnight will focus her attention on economic development, Thompson said.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com