Vermilion Township is preparing to take back control of its building department after trustees voted last night to reestablish a township-run operation. Trustees Don Rowe and Kurt Johnson voted in favor of the change, while Trustee Ken Baughman abstained.
Township Administrator and Zoning Inspector Joe Baxter told trustees that development interest in Vermilion Township is growing quickly, with larger builders now moving toward the area. Baxter said the township needs consistent inspection oversight and noted that relying on the City of Vermilion has led to gaps in enforcement, unpredictable timing, and a lack of on-site review for some projects. He also pointed out that permit revenue has climbed sharply in recent years and could reach one hundred fifty thousand dollars next year, making a township-operated department financially sustainable.
During audience participation, resident Bill Via was the only speaker who opposed the change. Via argued that the original move to the city was not intended to be temporary and warned that reestablishing the department could create new costs and potentially raise taxes. He urged trustees to continue shared services instead of bringing the department back.
Trustee Baughman disputed Via’s recollection. Baughman said that when the township handed the building department to the city, officials made clear that the township could take it back once it was ready. It was decided that the township could resume control as early as December of 2025. Baughman said the arrangement was never meant to be permanent and that the township always retained the option to rebuild the department when the timing was right.
Concerns were also raised about whether the City of Vermilion has the staffing capacity to keep up with inspections as construction activity increases in both the city and the township. Residents have questioned whether the city has enough dedicated personnel to manage a growing workload, especially as larger builders move into the area. These questions became part of the broader discussion about whether Vermilion Township would be better served by having its own inspector who can respond directly to township needs.
The township will now begin preparing for the transition. Trustees discussed targeting late 2025 as the point when the township should be ready to operate independently or at least begin the process of doing so.
Township Administrator Joe Baxter has obtained the required state accreditation to perform building inspections, and he plans to take on inspection duties once the department is reestablished. How the township structures the remaining administrative and permitting functions has not yet been finalized. Trustees acknowledged that details such as scheduling, recordkeeping, and support staffing will need to be addressed as they move toward restoring the department. These are among the operational questions the township expects to work through in the coming months as it prepares for the transition.
Rowe and Johnson believe the decision reflects long-term planning and the need to manage growth responsibly. Baughman said he abstained to gather more information but agreed that the township must position itself for the development that is coming.
The vote sets Vermilion Township on a path toward reestablishing its own building department for the first time in several years. With a target of late 2025 for beginning the transition, township officials will now turn to the practical steps required to rebuild the department and prepare for increased development activity. The decision marks a significant change in how the township will handle inspections and permitting in the future.
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