Commissioners back creating code enforcement officer funded initially with interest income

County staff presented a plan to establish a single code enforcement officer to coordinate code‑related activity across building, planning, public works, sheriff and civil teams. The new position would act as a hub for intake, triage and coordination, with departments continuing to manage enforcement tasks within their technical expertise.

Staff recommended seeding an ongoing fund with interest earned on the building permanent fees account and proposed a first‑year budget that includes a fully loaded position cost of about $150,000 plus $250,000 available for abatement activities. That mix would allow the county to begin coordinated enforcement and abatement work while collecting data to refine a longer‑term funding approach (including potential solid‑waste tipping‑fee supplements or recoupment via liens when abatement costs are recovered).

Commissioners discussed placement options for the position and generally favored locating the role in the building department for operational convenience while noting appearances and neutral adjudicative functions argued against reporting to the hearing examiner. Staff will finalize a class specification, post the position and return with budget amendments and a fund‑establishment proposal.

What happens next: staff will prepare the class spec, post the recruitment, and bring budget amendments and fund-creation items back to the board.