Inspectional Services budget draws scrutiny over fines, enforcement prosecutor, cameras and staffing

Inspectional Services (ISD) presented a FY2027 proposed budget of roughly $2.37 million, a modest increase driven by personnel and operational needs. Director (transcript: Director Rice) and staff reviewed revenues for permits, licenses and miscellaneous enforcement collections and noted year-to-date receipts for ordinance/trash fines of about $65,800; ISD said it had issued approximately 2,100 tickets since July 1 for code and trash violations.

Councilors pressed ISD on enforcement effectiveness and value: the committee heard that the administration hired an enforcement prosecutor to manage notices, appeals and collections; ISD staff said the prosecutor's work supports higher collection rates and the legal filing needed for liens or hearings, but councilors noted collection totals so far fall short of some expectations and asked for a five-year revenue comparison for permit and fine collections.

Cameras and surveillance: ISD reported applying for a federal/state grant to fund roughly 40 additional fixed cameras targeted at chronic illegal-dumping sites. Council members flagged ordinance 9.25.030, which requires city council approval and a public hearing before municipal entities accept or solicit funds for surveillance technology; committee members asked that the camera grant application come to council for review and that the city follow the ordinance's public-notice requirements.

Unlawful apartments and staffing: councilors urged stronger enforcement against absentee landlords and unlawful or converted apartments. Directors said building- and health-code workloads have increased and that certified building inspectors are in short supply; they recommended incremental progress on rental registration and better cross-agency coordination, while requesting support for additional certified inspectors in future budgets.

Next steps: ISD agreed to provide detailed permit- and fine-revenue histories covering recent years, documentation on current enforcement caseloads and the pending camera grant application so the council can schedule a hearing as required by ordinance.