Service Proposal
Professional Code Enforcement & Building Department Services
Delivering experienced, cost-effective government services so you can focus on your community.
Executive Summary
Counties and municipalities across North Georgia are facing one of the most challenging operational environments in decades. Communities throughout Habersham, White, Banks, Stephens, Rabun, Union, Lumpkin, Towns, Dawson, Franklin, Barrow, Hall, and surrounding counties are experiencing sustained population growth, an expanding construction market, and increasing regulatory complexity — all while working within tightly constrained municipal budgets.
North Georgia Municipal Services Group, LLC was founded specifically to address this gap. We offer a fully outsourced code enforcement and building department model that functions as a seamless extension of your municipality. Rather than bearing the full cost of a salaried building official plus benefits, training, vehicles, and equipment, your town or county retains our team of certified professionals on a flexible, scalable basis.
Our value proposition is straightforward: your community gets certified, experienced professionals — including Georgia State Certified Building Inspectors and ICC Certified Building Officials — available on demand. Our services scale with your community's needs. A small town of 800 residents with modest permit activity pays for exactly what it uses. A rapidly growing community can access the full depth of our service catalog without the delays of a months-long hiring process.
Service Tiers
Three flexible service levels designed to match your community's size, budget, and growth.
Tier 1 — Basic On-Call
Individual inspection and plan review services billed per event. Designed for municipalities with very low or highly unpredictable permit activity. No minimum monthly hours or fees. Services engaged as needed with a 2-hour minimum and a target response time of 2 business days or less.
Tier 2 — Part-Time Contracted
Includes assignment of a Certified Building Official providing full-service building inspections, comprehensive plan review, and permit administration assistance. Also includes preliminary zoning verification, erosion control compliance review, and related development oversight. Target response time of two business days or less.
Tier 3 — Comprehensive Department Management
A full-service, turnkey building department solution in which your Certified Building Official assumes complete responsibility for all core regulatory functions. Includes building inspections, plan review, permit assistance, code enforcement, zoning setback verification, erosion control compliance, and attendance at council meetings upon request. Same-day or next-business-day availability.
Qualifications & Certifications
Robert Gutowski, C.B.O.
Principal Building / Code Official / Inspector
Robert Gutowski is a Certified Building Official (CBO) credentialed through the International Code Council (ICC) and recognized by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as a Building Official through the Building Officials Association of Georgia (BOAG). With extensive hands-on experience across building inspection, commercial and residential plan review, permitting administration, zoning enforcement, and construction management, Mr. Gutowski brings a depth of technical expertise and regulatory insight that is immediately deployable within any municipal building department.
Mr. Gutowski maintains comprehensive working knowledge of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes, DCA compliance requirements, and the operational realities of local government in Georgia communities. His background includes training and mentoring inspection personnel, strengthening departmental procedures, and cultivating productive relationships with contractors, developers, design professionals, and the public.
Additional Qualifications
- Georgia DCA-qualified building official — meets all state credentialing requirements
- Experienced in zoning administration and land use compliance review
- Knowledgeable in Georgia Open Records Act compliance (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.)
- Proven track record of training and mentoring inspection and permitting staff
- Familiar with permitting software platforms commonly used in Georgia municipalities
- Strong knowledge of local government operations, municipal finance, and administrative procedures in Georgia
Professional Affiliations
Why Choose Us Over In-House Staff
| Factor | In-House Employee | North Georgia Municipal Services Group |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Annual Cost | $65,000–$85,000 salary + 30–40% benefits = $85,000–$119,000 true cost | Scales with actual activity; Tier 3 retainer = $31,800/yr before module add-ons |
| Turnover Risk | High — private sector routinely outbids small governments; losing one employee can halt permit activity for months | None — our firm absorbs all staffing risk; your service continues regardless of personnel changes |
| Certifications & Training | Municipality pays for all training, continuing education, ICC dues, and state license renewal | Fully included — all certifications, training, and professional development absorbed by our firm |
| Scalability | Fixed capacity; one employee cannot scale with a development surge; hiring takes 3–6 months | Immediately scalable — additional team members deployed as activity increases; no hiring delay |
| Breadth of Expertise | Typically one generalist; rarely covers engineering, planning, stormwater, and legal all in one hire | Full team — Building Official, Inspectors, PE, AICP Planner, CPESC Stormwater, Zoning Officer available |
| Vehicle & Equipment Costs | Municipality provides vehicle, fuel, inspection tools, software, and office space | All equipment and vehicles provided by our firm at no additional cost |
| HR Administration | Municipality manages hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, disciplinary matters, and separation | None — we are an independent contractor; no HR burden on the municipality |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Robert Gutowski to discuss your community's specific needs. We're happy to present this proposal directly to your governing body.