Scott County commissioners vote to advance plan for part‑time code enforcement officer

A Scott County commissioner told a June workshop that the county needs a part‑time code enforcement officer to handle unsafe buildings, trailer and septic complaints, and chronic nuisance properties and that the position should report to the commissioners and work closely with the health department and building inspection. "I would like to see one part‑time position here," the commissioner said, urging a baseline of one day per week with flexibility to increase hours as needed.

The proposal drew support from Britney of the health department, who said the county has needed such a role "for years" and urged close coordination. "One day a week may be enough to start, but I bet you'll find pretty quickly that it you may have to adjust that a little bit," Britney said.

Speakers also reviewed the county's legal tools and enforcement options. A county official summarized Indiana's unsafe‑building code and said Scott County's 2008 ordinance currently gives the commissioners authority to administer unsafe‑building actions. The official described peer practices in neighboring counties, highlighted experienced code officers as resources, and detailed the high cost and long timeline that legal enforcement can entail for demolitions or cleanups.

Workshop participants discussed how enforcement typically proceeds: a complaint, inspection, a show‑cause or administrative hearing, and—if unresolved—court action that can result in a demolition order and a lien for cleanup costs placed on the tax roll. The official described Jennings County's procedure as an example, where cleanup costs can be placed on the tax roll after a court order.

On staffing, some participants said the role would likely need at least two days per week (one day in the field and one day for documentation and follow‑up). Commissioners proposed including a dedicated code‑enforcement line in the upcoming budget. Participants also discussed designing escalating penalties that lead to court involvement when violations go unresolved.

As next steps the commissioners asked staff to gather sample ordinances and job descriptions (including material provided by the city and other counties), to consult experienced code officers, and to draft an ordinance for the commissioners to consider. A motion to approve creating the position and forwarding it to the county council for budget consideration was made and seconded; the motion was approved by voice vote.

The matter will move to a public meeting for final consideration and to the county council during the budget process; officials said implementation timing will depend on council funding and could require additional months for recruitment and training.