Committee advances draft code‑enforcement program to enable ordinance enforcement

Staff presented a proposed county code‑enforcement program intended to give the county a formal process to enforce its ordinances (construction, subdivision, zoning). The draft would establish a neutral, third‑party hearing officer selected through an RFP and appointed by the county executive with advice and consent of the council to hear enforcement cases before escalation to district court when necessary.

Committee members stressed that passing codes without enforcement capacity sends the wrong signal. "If we're gonna pass it, we have to enforce it," one council member said, and others supported a process that keeps enforcement decisions at arm's length through a neutral hearing officer. Staff said additional review is needed and that details will be refined with the county attorney's office before returning the proposal for further consideration.