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Code-enforcement officer reports 101 cases in 2024, outlines priority on abandoned vehicles and Title 1 updates
Summary
Code-enforcement officer Jim Byrd told the council the city closed 101 cases in 2024 (up from 85 in 2023), emphasized a push to address abandoned vehicles and vacant-property procedures, and said staff is planning Title 1 code updates and exploring case-management software.
Code-enforcement officer Jim Byrd reported Feb. 4 that his office closed 101 cases in 2024, up from 85 in 2023, and outlined priorities for 2025 including abandoned-vehicle enforcement, vacant-property procedures and Title 1 ordinance updates.
Byrd described a mix of property- and vehicle-related cases, some of which require extended legal processes. He said he plans to focus on removing abandoned vehicles at owners’ expense where possible and to collaborate with the sheriff’s office for towing procedures; Byrd said the city already has code authority to tow but is working to align local processes with the sheriff’s procedures to avoid favoritism when tow companies are assigned.
Byrd said he has been issuing civil infractions as part of enforcement, is considering case-management software to streamline tracking (currently using Excel), and is developing a standard operating procedure so another person could follow open cases if he were unavailable. He also said he became a level-1 special deputy with the sheriff’s office and completed training on hoarding and vacant-property ordinances.
Council members praised Byrd’s work and asked questions about towing authority and next steps. Byrd confirmed the code gives towing authority and said the remaining steps involve coordinating procedures and training with the sheriff’s office.
