Brian Head council backs shift to education‑focused code compliance policy

At its Feb. 24 meeting, the Brian Head Town Council agreed to pursue a revision of its code enforcement approach that emphasizes education and voluntary compliance rather than citations.

Town Manager Bret Howser presented a draft policy that replaces the phrase 'code enforcement' with 'code compliance' and establishes an administrative hearing process handled first by the Town Manager or designee, one council member and a Planning Commission member, with an Appeal Authority for unresolved cases. Council discussion focused on balancing administrative control and accountability with community representation in hearings.

Amanda Hunter, the town's Code Compliance Officer, said most violations are discovered through proactive sweeps rather than resident complaints and supported the shift toward education. Council members discussed whether to include citizen representatives on the hearing panel; Bret Howser recommended retaining appointed officials so the board can be trained and held to administrative standards.

Councilors agreed with reorienting the program toward education and voluntary compliance and asked staff to return an amended Code Compliance Policy at the next meeting in March. No formal ordinance or final vote on the policy occurred at the Feb. 24 session.