By John Howell
The value of construction in 2015 permitted through the Batesville Code Office rose sharply with the school construction to replace a fire-destroyed wing at the elementary school and add a ninth grade building.
Code administrator Pam Comer’s report to the board of mayor and aldermen showed total value of permitted construction at $9.6 million. That’s  $3.6 over the 2014 construction value in Batesville that was just above $6 million.
The value of school construction permitted in 2015 — $4.3 million for foundations and buildings — leaves the value of other permitted construction at $5.3 million.
(See accompanying table)
The code office collected $30,096 for the building permits and an additional $5,612.50 for 42 sign permits. Code officers conducted 474 occupancy change inspections and issued 203 permits for electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing.