Collier County may hire more workers to help with booming development

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Collier County development is booming and to keep up, the county may hire 15 extra full-time workers for its Growth Management Department.

In the past two years, Collier County has seen a whopping 86 percent increase in the number of building permits it issues each month and there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon.

“We don’t know where the end stops,” said James French, Deputy Department Head with Growth Management.

French is now asking commissioners to allow them to hire 15 additional full-time employees to help with the additional workload.

“These positions are geared to vertical construction and land use planning,” said French.

Nick Tullo, who’s worked for Permits Express the past 18 years says he’s seen business pick up dramatically since the recession.

“Wait times are starting to increase and people get a little excited, so definitely
a good idea,” said Tullo.

“Sometimes it takes a little longer than you’d like to, but any help at all can always be useful,” said Michael Mercado with Affordable Fence & Screen Unlimited, Inc.

The money for the additional positions would not come from taxpayers. Instead, the county would use construction and permitting fees to fund the new positions.

“They’re definitely collecting the money so I think they should start using it for
where it’s needed,” said Tullo.

Commissioners will review the proposal next Tuesday.