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Newton approves 21‑month contract with Western Piedmont COG for code enforcement
Summary
Council authorized a 21‑month, $178,000 contract with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to provide code enforcement services beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and reassigned an existing code officer to serve as downtown liaison.
The Newton City Council unanimously approved a contract on June 6 to outsource code enforcement services to the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG).
City Manager Sean Hovis told council staff had evaluated options and recommended WPCOG provide code enforcement beginning Oct. 1, 2023. The 21‑month agreement, priced at $178,000, covers salary, benefits, fuel, uniforms, training, technology and the purchase of a code‑enforcement vehicle. During the first year WPCOG will focus on overgrown properties, junk and nuisance vehicle enforcement, illegal dumping and junk accumulation; the agency will phase in other functions, including minimum housing enforcement, after the initial year.
Hovis said the transition period will allow the contractor to hire additional officers and for the city to transfer ongoing ACE cases to the Newton Police Department before WPCOG assumes them. If council authorized the contract, one of the city's current code enforcement officers would be reassigned as a Downtown Liaison Officer to provide a regular downtown presence.
By motion of Mayor Pro Tem John Stiver and second of Council Member Roy Johnson, council approved the contract unanimously.
Council did not add conditions in the motion recorded at the meeting; staff noted the contract includes funds for a vehicle and for operational costs and that WPCOG would proceed with hiring and training before assuming full duties.
