Zoning inspector receives pay increase

North Perry Village government leaders seem to be pleased with the work that Christopher Bernard has done in his first four months as the community’s zoning inspector.

That satisfaction was reflected in council unanimously approving a pay raise for Bernard at its March 7 meeting. Mayor Ed Klco also commended Bernard for his performance.

Bernard, a Madison Village resident, began working part time as the village’s zoning inspector on Nov. 2. He was hired the previous night by council at its Nov. 1 meeting.

With the raise he received on March 7, Bernard will now earn $800 a month. In the ordinance approving his hiring four months ago, his monthly compensation was set at $700 — covering 35 hours per month at $20 an hour. The ordinance also called for Bernard to receive a personnel review three months after starting with the village.

Klco said Bernard has proven himself to be an effective and productive leader for the village Zoning Department.

“At this point, I feel very confident in what he’s doing,” Klco said. “In fact, it’s way beyond what I expected.”

Prior to Bernard’s appointment, North Perry employed a zoning inspector through a contract it had with CT Consultants of Mentor. That village position had been filled by CT Assistant Planner Dana Cohen from November of 2017 until August of last year, when Cohen left CT for a new job.

After Cohen’s departure, the role of interim zoning inspector was taken over by Kristin Hopkins, who also is manager of planning services for CT. Meanwhile, North Perry advertised for a part-time zoning inspector to succeed Hopkins.

Fifteen people applied for the position and the village interviewed three candidates, including Bernard, Klco said.

Bernard has worked for more than 13 years in the Lake County Tax Map Department as a geographic information system survey technician. He also was employed by the Geauga County Engineer’s Office and has experience working with surveyors, engineers and property transactions.

In addition, Bernard served for a year as Madison Township zoning inspector and is a member of the Lake County Land Use and Zoning Committee.