COLDWATER (WTVB) - Contractors around Branch County apparently are losing a bit of their patience evidenced by their complaints about permit delays and other reported slow services at the county’s building inspection department.

County Board Chairman Dale Swift of Bronson Tuesday pleaded with the Commission’s Personnel Committee to come up with recommendations on a list of options and ideas to address the problem. Swift said he’s heard from the general public as well as contractors who show up at the inspection office and find it closed with no one seeming to know when it’s actually opened and what the department hours are. He said without permits, the jobs can’t get done and that can stop building in Branch County. An improved local economy has seen requests for building permits increase considerably from year ago levels.