Noel Board Appoints New Building Inspector

Noel, August 21, 2025

News Summary

The Noel Board of Aldermen has unanimously appointed Nathaniel Cotton as the new building inspector, following the departure of the previous inspector. Cotton, who has extensive construction experience, will conduct inspections across Neosho and the surrounding areas. Alongside this appointment, significant updates to building codes and permit fees have been made to better align local regulations with current standards. Additionally, the board discussed ongoing issues with stray dogs in the community, considering various solutions to enhance public safety and animal welfare.

New Building Inspector Appointed by Noel Board of Aldermen

The Noel Board of Aldermen has made a significant move by appointing Nathaniel Cotton as the new building inspector in a unanimous vote on August 12. This decision comes after the departure of the previous inspector, Aaron Parker, who left the role due to a job change that demanded more of his time. While Cotton has no formal experience as an inspector, he has been involved in the construction field since childhood and has worked closely with inspectors throughout his life.

Cotton resides in Neosho but will conduct inspections throughout the surrounding areas, including McDonald County and Northwest Arkansas. He has expressed a desire for a designated day each week to perform inspections, ensuring a more organized process for those engaged in construction projects within the city.

Updated Building Codes and Permit Fees

In addition to appointing a new inspector, the Board of Aldermen has implemented substantial updates to Noel’s building code. The updated codes now reference the International Code Council’s 2021 codes, replacing the older 1993 version. This change is aimed at aligning local regulations with current standards and best practices.

Another crucial aspect of this update involved the revision of building permit fees. Previously, the fees were deemed inadequate to cover the expenses related to the inspection process, leading to financial losses for the city. The new fee structure has been established to better reflect the costs associated with inspections and now ranges from $600 for residential permits to $10,000 for commercial buildings whose costs exceed $1 million. This incremental fee structure is designed to accommodate projects of varying sizes, ensuring transparency and fairness in the permitting process.

Concerns Over Stray Dogs

In response to the issue, Mayor William Rose suggested the idea of acquiring a tranquilizer gun for the marshal’s office. He also proposed that the city collaborate with local shelters to house stray dogs for a legally mandated period of seven days before they may face euthanization if unclaimed. If local shelters agree to take ownership, these animals would not need to be put down after the required waiting period, provided there is capacity in the shelters.

Despite the proposed solutions, citizens and board members raised concerns about local shelters often being at capacity and reluctant to accept aggressive dogs. One resident expressed a personal tragedy involving her dog who was killed by loose animals, highlighting the urgency of the situation. She also suggested using a tranquilizer gun only if it is operated by trained professionals, underscoring the need for responsible animal control measures.

Community Efforts in Animal Care

An interesting proposition arose when a citizen offered to construct an animal shelter on her private land outside the city limits. However, the mayor made it clear that city funds could not be allocated for such a project. This discussion brought forward the fact that the community is grappling with the dual challenge of addressing both the needs for adequate housing for stray animals and public safety concerns.

As Noel continues to evolve in its approach to city management, the recent changes in building regulations and the proactive efforts to address the stray dog situation demonstrate the local government’s commitment to improving the community’s well-being. The Board of Aldermen remains open to suggestions from residents, indicating a collaborative approach to problem-solving that seeks to engage citizens directly in the welfare of their community.

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Additional Resources

• MDCP: Noel Updates Building Code and Welcomes Inspector
• Morning Journal News: EBS Serving Needs of Salem, Columbiana, and Leetonia
• WDRB: Utica Township Restarting Volunteer Fire Department
• WHAS11: Indiana State Police Case Involving Jamey Noel
• KSLA: Noel Community Arts Program Gets New Building
• Wikipedia: Building Code
• Google Search: Building Code Updates
• Google Scholar: Building Standards
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Building Code
• Google News: Stray Dogs Community Efforts