Code enforcement reorganizes into three enforcement zones; staff to pursue faster repair timelines and register‑of‑deeds coordination

Goldsboro code enforcement staff presented a plan to reorganize field enforcement into three geographic zones, described an inventory of dilapidated structures and asked council to support faster repair timelines and administrative improvements.

What staff told council - Team and workload: The enforcement team now includes a newly promoted enforcement administrator, three full‑time enforcement officers and a part‑time litter pickup employee; staff reported inventory work that identified approximately 220 structures as potential demolition candidates, and more than 2,700 bags of roadside litter removed by the part‑time worker in the prior year. - Zone approach: Staff proposed assigning enforcement officers to three zones aligned with council voting districts so each officer becomes familiar with a specific area, improves responsiveness and provides a clear point of contact for residents and council members. - Process and timelines: Staff said they are drafting an internal code‑enforcement manual including case‑severity prioritization and caseload management rules. Staff also requested council direction on revisiting timelines used for order‑to‑repair and minimum‑housing procedures so the department can avoid protracted cases where property owners repeatedly delay corrective work. - Registry of deeds coordination: Staff recommended meeting with the register of deeds to create a notification or flagging mechanism so the city is alerted quickly when a condemned or enforcement‑listed property changes hands, which can otherwise restart enforcement processes and delay remediation. - Operational needs: Staff said they need additional vehicles (five staff and four vehicles currently, plus one vehicle for planning staff) and requested those items be considered in the CIP.

Why it matters: Faster, more consistent enforcement and improved interagency coordination can reduce neighborhood blight and encourage reinvestment. Council members asked for a public list of properties in minimum housing or condemnation stages and staff said they will prepare and make that information available if legal counsel approves form and content.

Next steps: Staff will (1) finish the code‑enforcement manual and caseload rules, (2) schedule a meeting with the register of deeds to implement a notification protocol, (3) prepare a public list of properties in minimum‑housing/condemnation stages and (4) request CIP funding for additional vehicles.