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Resident says building-inspection budget cut would harm enforcement; asks for supervisor position
Summary
At the May 8 meeting resident Peter Gorman urged council to add a code enforcement supervisor, saying the proposed building inspections and codes budget is down from the current year and citing repeated complaints about inconsistent enforcement.
Peter Gorman addressed the Summerville Town Council during public comment on May 8 to object to the proposed departmental budget for building inspections and codes and to request the addition of a code enforcement supervisor.
Gorman said the draft departmental budget includes $1,029,000 for building inspections and codes and characterized that figure as "almost a full percentage point below the current year budget." He told council that residents of the historic district have repeatedly complained about inconsistent code enforcement and what he described as political interference with staff enforcement efforts. "Residents of our historic district have appeared here numerous times to complaint about lack of code enforcement, inconsistent enforcement, and political interference with efforts by staff to enforce our codes," Gorman said.
Gorman said he has used FOIA requests to document the complaints and alleged contradictory enforcement among code staff, planning and legal departments. He described instances in which neighbors were told by the town attorney they had no right to meet with the town prosecutor to present evidence and asserted that the town has legal authority to suspend, fine and cancel business licenses when violations are recorded but that prosecutions have been delayed by continuances.
"We ask that you reconsider our request and add this position to improve code enforcement," Gorman said, referring to a previously proposed code enforcement supervisor he said had community support. The council did not take an immediate vote on the staffing request during public comment.
