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Commissioners move enforcement of solid‑waste and abandoned‑mobile‑home rules from sheriff to planning
Summary
The board approved transferring an existing, budgeted part‑time solid‑waste enforcement position from the sheriff’s office to the planning department to provide dedicated civil enforcement and follow-up.
McDowell County commissioners on Aug. 11 approved transferring a budgeted part‑time position to the planning department to focus on civil enforcement of the county’s solid‑waste and abandoned‑mobile‑home ordinances.
Mr. Williams (county staff) told the board that the sheriff’s office historically used a part‑time environmental enforcement officer — often a retired deputy — to respond to litter, trash and abandoned mobile‑home complaints. The position has been vacant for several years, Williams said, and deputies’ core duties make it difficult to prioritize chronic code complaints.
‘‘The recommendation is to take that solid waste enforcement officer position out of the sheriff's office budget and move it to the planning department,’’ Williams said. The authorized position is part‑time; staff recommended the position focus on site inspections, photo documentation, civil enforcement letters, fines and liens. If a potential criminal violation were identified, staff would coordinate with the sheriff’s office.
Commissioners moved and approved the staffing change by voice vote. The board instructed planning and code staff to ensure the county’s ordinances are up to date and that enforcement processes support fines and liens when necessary.
Ending: The county will operationalize a part‑time solid‑waste enforcement role within planning and return with ordinance language and enforcement procedures if updates are needed.
