Steamboat Pilot & Today

Mark Marchus, chief building official for the Routt County Regional Building Department, announced his plans to retire from his position by April 30.

Marchus, who was appointed to the position in April 1998, said a variety of factors played into his decision.

"I'm certainly going to miss the people who I've built these relationships with," Marchus said Monday. "It has been a pleasure for me to serve the county for these past six years."

Marchus said one of his main goals was to make the department -- which jointly serves the county and city of Steamboat Springs --friendlier and more customer-oriented.

Satellite offices were opened in Hayden, Oak Creek and Yampa where a building inspector would spend one hour one day a week to answer questions and accept building permit applications.

"Any government entity is here to serve the public or the constituency that we're supposed to be looking out for," Marchus said. "We wanted to be that service-oriented organization."

Marchus helped install a computer tracking system to record every step involved in obtaining a building permit and make that information easily accessible. The system, which he said adds efficiency to the process, is used by Routt County's Road and Bridge Department, Environmental Health, and the Planning and Building departments.

During his tenure, Marchus was instrumental in installing an interactive voice system allowing contractors to request building inspections by phone or by Internet until midnight the day before.

Routt County Commissioner Dan Ellison said Marchus has improved the department's efficiency by finding new technology and "making it work."

When Marchus came to the department, the building review process took four weeks for residential plans and six weeks for commercial plans. Last summer, during the busiest time of the year, the longest wait for either plan was eight to 10 days, Marchus said.

Marchus said he hasn't finalized his after-retirement plans but has considered moving with his wife, Cheriene Marchus, to the mid-South region of the United States and starting a small cattle ranch.

County and city officials will look for a replacement for Marchus and likely will have someone in place by April, Routt County Manager Tom Sullivan said.

"There are opportunities for us to look and see if there are any organizational changes we need to make," Sullivan said.

Carl Dunham, the assistance chief building official, will serve as an interim if one is needed, Marchus said.

-- To reach Susan Bacon, call 871-4203

or e-mail sbacon@steamboatpilot.com