After much deliberation, the Kimball City Council tabled the contractor registration form until the next meeting.

The form, introduced by city attorney Kent Hadenfeldt, registers contractors for work inside the city limits of Kimball.

The measure may assist residents in the future when many homes need work, such as happened after the May 24, 2010 hailstorm.

The board also addressed having a part time building inspector to ensure safety and that work is up to date and codes.

Questions arose concerning the need for a building inspector, and how the city would afford the expense of having one, even part time.

Council member Ann Warner expressed serious concern about the city over-regulating such matters instead of allowing home owners to be responsible.

She asked if an inspection would be required for replacing faulty furnaces, hot water heaters and other necessities as well as roofs.

Warner asked if the state had set forth any statutes along the same lines, and when told that none were known of, she again stated she was against the additional regulations.

“We want them (the citizens) to replace roofs and do a good job, but we’re going to charge them for it?” she questioned.

While council member Kim Christensen stated that she understood Warner’s concerns, she also said she felt that some home owners are not responsible and that could be detrimental to the community.

As a case in point, Christensen offered the Corner Bar fire as an example. She stated that had the electricity been checked and subsequently fixed the disaster may have been avoided.

A pay-per-use idea was brought up to ease the tax-payers responsibility for the inspector. However, some council members were still concerned about the costs.

“It comes down to helping the public protect themselves from themselves,” businessman Mark Brown added.

Council members reiterated that many insurance companies require proof of registration and insurance from any contractor and that often fees for permits are reimbursed.

“If you can’t afford $20, you probably can’t afford a hot water heater in the first place,” Jessica Laughlin said.

“There is a point of regulating and permitting to death,” council member Kim Baliman said.

Agreeing with Baliman, Warner added, “It is private industry. It’s got nothing to do with the city.”

Bringing the discussion to a close, Mayor James Schnell said that there are obviously a lot of questions about the issue and that a decision will need to be reached before the council can move forward. The matter was tabled for further review at the next council meeting.