Code enforcement reports rising compliance activity; new county animal shelter nearing completion

Code enforcement leadership reported a significant caseload and growing enforcement revenues. Beth (Code Enforcement) told commissioners the office is running active case hearings, frequently collects fines and has seen increased public compliance and successful outreach.

She said staff held a recent hearing that included about 25 cases and that the department actively seeks voluntary compliance before cases proceed to formal hearings. Commissioners and staff discussed particular properties of concern; staff said some properties had been sold for taxes and owners were working to complete cleanup even where enforcement is ongoing.

On animal control, Justin Nelson (assistant county administrator for infrastructure and transportation) reported the new animal shelter/dog‑kennel building has completed inspections and is ready for operation. He said the project was completed largely within previously approved funding and that facilities staff added additional kennel capacity by using residual funds; the new shelter nearly doubles the county’s kennel square footage compared with the previous facility.

No formal action was taken. Commissioners thanked enforcement and animal-control staff for the visible improvements and for working to resolve neglected properties and for the shelter construction progress.