Building Commissioner Resigns / the Fourth Pacific Official to Exit City Hall in Recent Months

By Pauline Masson –

City Building Commissioner Steve Brune has resigned his post, leaving a staggering gap in city services.

Mr. Brune submitted his resignation and two weeks notice on February 4. His last day on the job will be Tuesday, February 18.

The Building Commissioner’s action is required in every building improvement, and each stage of new home construction in subdivisions.

The building commissioner is the fourth official to leave Pacific City Hall under the current board of aldermen, excepting Karla Steward who was elected in 2024. Those who resigned include City Administrator Steve Roth who resigned in August 2023, Police Chief Scott Melies who resigned in October 2023, and City Administrator Harold Selby who resigned in May 2024.

Mr. Selby’s resignation, nine months ahead of his agreed to temporary acceptance of the job, left the city without a city administrator for the past fourteen months.. Major Don Locke is currently acting police chief. The city has entered into an agreement with Family Office Services LLC to assist City Clerk Kim Barfield with financial services.

Mr. Brune’s resignation leaves a specific absence of city services that includes property owners wanting to improve their buildings, new home buyers wanting to move into their homes, and subdivision builders that need consistent inspections to keep their projects moving on time. The building department also provides inspections for suspected code violations.

In a telephone interview with Hometown Matters, Mr. Brune, who has served three and one-half years in the position, said he made his decision to leave following unfriently actions of some aldermen. He said he liked Pacific and had made many friends among residents and builders here as he provided inspections on their property.

It seemed to him, he said, that aldermen Scott Lesh, Karla Stewart and Anna Meadows wanted to stand in the way of growth,

“That’s just my opinion,” he said.

Mr. Lesh, in particular was singled out for his practice of frequently entering the building department, usually late in the day. 

This seems to fly in the face of a city ordinance that prohibits individual aldermen from interfering with the work of individual employees or departments. But it is unclear how an infraction to that ordinance could be enforced or what the penalty for any violation might be.

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Mr. Brune also said he believes that the absence of a city administrator has emboldened aldermen to assert themselves and their perceived authority. A city administrator, he said, served as a buffer between the aldermen and individual employees and city departments.

“If either Steve Roth or Harold Selby was still here, things would be different,” Mr. Brune said. “I really like Pacific.”

City Administrator Search

The city’s failure to find a permanent city administrator baffles residents. Since advertising to solicit applicants for the post more than 40 individuals have submitted applications. Ten had preliminary interviews and one had a final interview but no employment agreement has been reached, according to Mayor Heather Filley.           

She said review of applicants for the job are still ongoing. The largest objection to the majority of candidates falls to the qualifications of the candidates. While most applicants had some city government experience, most did not have the specific qualifications that she and board are looking for.

She said the lack of a city administrator is placing a burden on the remaining staff.

Requests for Inspections and Permits

Resignation of the building commissioner creates a challenge that could affect property owners and builders but the city has several alternatives to respond to the requests to the building department, the mayor said.

Utilizing a temporary building commissioner is not new. The practice was used during the lead up to hiring Mr. Brune. If aldermen and the mayor agree, the city could employ a temporary commissioner.

Mayor Filley said she would prefer to find a replacement and fill the position quickly but she has several contacts that can help the locate an interim or temporary inspection service in order to city keep inspections and permits completed in a timely manner. This would avoid delays in construction of new buildings and delays to property owners seeking permits to improve their buildings and grounds.

It is the building commissioner, with timely response to requests for inspections and permits, that enables the progress of buildings and/or subdivisions – and for property owners to complete improvements in a timely manner.

In recent months the building commissioner reported the requests and actions that come to his department.

In October 2024 the department completed 53 building inspections and issued 79 permits for building occupancy, decks, fences, swimming pool and commercial signs, all of which require inspections. In November 2024 the department inspected 36 buildings and processed 61 inspections for occupancy, decks, fences and a wall permits. In December the building department completed 36 residential building inspections, 60 inspections for occipancy, deck, fence, electrical and retaining wall projects. In the same month, the department processed 98 violation inspections, including nuisance, vehicle, animal, cargo container notices and building code violations.

New Subdivisions In Works

Mr. Brune’s resignation comes when new subdivisions that will require numerous inspections and permits are in the works.

Large Investment LLC is planning “Howe Subdivision,” an 18-lot development entered from 1854 Old Gray Summit Road.

Old Gay Summit LLC, is planning “The Highlands Subdivision,” a 20-lot development between Old Gray Summit Road and the RR tracks, west of Sierra Ridge Avenue.