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Budget committee approves $10,000 for new code-enforcement software
Summary
The committee voted 8–1 to add $10,000 to the code-enforcement budget to buy civics-plus software that town staff said will automate inspections, integrate with permit and tax systems and reduce manual workflow burdens.
The Wolfeboro Budget Committee voted to increase the code-enforcement outside‑services line by $10,000 to purchase modern permitting and inspection software.
Town manager Jim told the committee the department’s current system is “antiquated” and that the proposed civics‑plus software would integrate with the town’s tax and permit systems, automate reminders and reduce manual paperwork. “It will be fired up and ready to go,” he said, adding the product will interface with the town’s Avatar tax software and transfer completed permits automatically.
Committee members who supported the measure described the purchase as a “force multiplier” that would increase efficiency. One member said the code officer has performed roughly 2,800 inspections in a year and needs updated tools to keep pace with workload. Opponents questioned the ongoing annual costs; Jim acknowledged there is an annual fee but said offsets exist and that building‑permit revenue (year‑to‑date about $138,000) helps underwrite the office.
The committee approved the motion on a roll‑call vote, recorded in the transcript as 8–1 in favor. The minutes show the lone recorded negative vote came from Suzanne Ryan; the other voting members recorded “yes.”
The committee also noted the office projects building‑permit revenue as part of estimated revenues that will be finalized before the public hearing. The software purchase will be funded from the outside‑services budget line; staff said it can be offset by eliminating other software expenses if needed.
The committee directed staff to proceed with the purchase and implementation planning; the town manager said the vendor implementation would require some staff time but should reduce inspection‑tracking burdens once operational.
