By John Howell

City officials set July 15 as the date for a public hearing on updating to the 2012 International Building Code.

“We’re three cycles behind now, almost four,” city code officer Andy Berryhill said during the June 3 meeting of Batesville’s mayor and aldermen.

The city presently operates under the 2006 International Building Code, Berryhill said.

Berryhill said the Building Officials Association of Mississippi (BOAM) support adopting the new code as does the state fire ratings bureau.

“When the rating bureau was here, when they were in our office they really frowned on us for not having  updated codes,” Berryhill said.

“A lot of the changes do not effect us,” Berryhill continued.

“What about the sprinkler systems?” Alderman Stan Harrison asked.

“Sprinkler systems are still in there,” Berryhill replied. 

“Is everybody excluding them?” Alderman Eddie Nabors asked.

“Everybody in Mississippi,” Berryhill said.

Adopting the ordinance to update the city’s code compliance would require a public hearing.

“Most of the cities around us have already adopted these codes,” City Code Administrator Pam Comer said. “That’s one of the things we try to do is all stay current.”

Oxford and Senatobia have already adopted the 2012 code, Comer said. Panola County is considering the changes, Berryhill said.