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SECTION FIVE: CODE ENFORCEMENT Overall Budget The demand for Code enforcement and resulting costs continue to increase. This program is vital to our city providing aestheic appearance plus contributing to health and safety. In spite of a great deal of effort, we are falling behind. It is also obvious that as the code enforcement costs increase, the burden of cost continues to inflate the fire department budget. This brings undeserved criticisms and makes the budget very difficult to manage. The following items then, are placed in the accounts with fire department requests but are shown separately in this summary. This allows us to show some of the impact on the overall fire budget, place emphasis on equipment needs for this program, and to separate accountability once we begin to purchase the equipment. It is important to know that this list does not show total code costs. This work affects a wide variety of other accounts. For example, other costs include fuel. We burn a lot transporting the prisoners, running chain saws, etc. Then there is motor vehicle maintenance. The work needed on the buses devastated the accounts this year. There are similiar accounts throughout the budget that are affected. Personnel Code Enforcement Officer I recommend that we add an officer to this program. There simply is no way that the one officer can continue to keep up with the demand for service. We manage the inmate work program, mowing, demolition, tree and brush removal from easements and right -of -ways, property complaints, court appearances, and numerous other tasks. Mike is to be commended but he is overwhelmed. This presents a false and poor reflection on the position and shadows the tremendously good work that he has been able to achieve. The position requested would be an inspection position and the entire job duty would focus on answering complaints and surveying neighborhoods for violations. Basically this person needs a vehicle and a clipboard. No office space will be needed. I also feel that the increased work of the summer months justify the ability to hire part time persons to assist. I've stated before that there is a ready pool of professional persons available. Teachers are an example. Regardless of where they come from, there are persons who can quickly learn and do this work.