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Codes director details $300,000 demolition fund, flags 617 North Washington as possible $100—150K project
Summary
The city's codes department presented its budget and said roughly $270,000 is unspent in the demolition line, naming 617 North Washington as a likely encumbrance with an estimated $100,000—150,000 immediate cost; staff growth was credited with boosting abatement work.
The city's codes department told commissioners it has an unspent demolition fund and plans to bring a fuller presentation before year-end.
"We have monies there to fix a lot of things and we're not utilizing it the right way for that GL," the Codes Department head said, identifying the budget line ending in 0706 and confirming the fiscal snapshot was current through March 31. Commissioners calculated a carryover of about $270,000 in the line.
Commissioners questioned recent demolition work in the South Washington area. The department said a contractor quote to remove structures at a former motel was just over $18,000 and that roughly $11,000 had been paid out to date from the demolition removal line. The director said that other demolition projects approved by the commission had not yet been invoiced.
The Codes Department head identified 617 North Washington as "on the radar," estimating that if the city intervenes the initial cost could be between $100,000 and $150,000 based on a structural report. He described the city's normal approach: the city would front costs, bill the landowner, and, if unpaid, place special liens or potentially assume ownership.
Commissioners asked how much of the current carryover was already committed; the director said about $15,000 had formal commitments and that remaining project costs would reduce the carryover balance. Several commissioners suggested reallocating small, older line-item balances (for computers and software, for example) toward immediate demolition needs if the commission chose to do so.
The Codes Department head also described recent staffing increases and enforcement results: "When I originally took over my position, I had a staff of about, not including myself, of 5 people. I do now have a staff of about 12," he said, adding that enforcement output increased from roughly 25—0% to about 65—5% since the expansion. He requested one permit-processing position to help expedite building permits.
The director said he would work with the finance director and commission members to revisit the budget lines if the commission preferred an alternative allocation.
The commission did not take a formal vote on reallocating funds at the meeting; follow-up budget work was left to staff and the finance director.
