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Garland shifts code enforcement to civil fines and launches 'Garland Cares' volunteer program
Summary
The mayor told the advisory commission the city is converting many code violations to civil infractions (with a $25 first notice) and has launched a volunteer Garland Cares program to help elderly or disabled residents come into compliance during a 90-day awareness period.
The mayor outlined a new civil code-enforcement program intended to speed compliance and reduce court workload, and introduced a volunteer initiative called Garland Cares that started June 1.
Under the new civil system the mayor said the first notice functions as a warning and "It's only a $25 fine is what it is in the civil process." He explained the civil route avoids municipal-court filings that previously required officers to build criminal-case paperwork and testify, freeing enforcement staff to address more properties. The city will run a 90-day awareness period in June, July and August before issuing fines on Sept. 1.
To help residents who cannot physically or financially bring properties into compliance, the mayor announced Garland Cares, a network of volunteers drawn from fraternal and church organizations and other groups who will ‘‘adopt a block'' to assist elderly or disabled homeowners. The mayor said residents who contact the program will have enforcement timelines paused while help is arranged, and noted the program is intended to raise neighborhood standards and support housing-market improvements.
