The Huntington Township Board of Supervisors voted on May 13 to appoint township engineer Scott Longstreet of Sherrod Design Corporation as the township’s zoning officer and floodplain administrator and to contract Middle Department Inspection Agency (MDIA) as the township’s building code/permitting agent.

Supervisors said the change responds to a shortage of qualified local code enforcement officers and inspectors across the county. Longstreet told the board he would perform zoning‑officer duties consistent with his engineering responsibilities; MDIA will issue building permits and perform inspections under their standard fee schedule.

The board motion to appoint Longstreet was made and seconded on the floor; supervisors approved the motion by voice vote. The board then moved and approved a separate motion to name MDIA as the building permit officer at MDIA’s current rates. Finally, supervisors appointed Longstreet to serve as the township’s floodplain administrator; that motion also passed by voice vote.

When asked about compensation, a supervisor said Longstreet will be paid at his current engineering rate; at the meeting a participant cited a consultant rate of about $103 per hour for outside consultants. Board members further said the change would not create a new full‑time township employee; MDIA is a third‑party inspection agency and Longstreet will continue as a contract engineer for the township while assuming zoning duties.

Residents asked whether permits and the new process would be available in hard copy for those who do not use the township website; board members said the township will publish the step‑by‑step permitting process online and will make printed copies available on request.

Ending: Supervisors said the arrangement is not permanent and will be reviewed as township needs evolve; the board instructed staff to post permit instructions and contact information for the new zoning and permitting contacts on the township website.