Building inspection bureau criticized; laptops unused

Building inspection bureau criticized; laptops unused

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb says there is “gross mismanagement of resources” at the city’s building inspection department, including dozens of laptop computers that sit in a closet unused.

Lamb said the city spent $157,000 to buy 41 laptops in November 2010 so inspectors could spend more time in the field. He said most, if not all, of the laptops have never been used and the city is paying $30 in monthly air card charges for each computer.

John Jennings, acting chief of building inspection, said 14 of the 41 laptops are being used, and the rest are waiting for a new software program to be installed. That might not happen until July.

About four months ago, Lamb criticized the bureau for not using new cars the city purchased for inspectors.