PORT ANGELES — Clallam County code enforcement is being moved from the auspices of the Sheriff’s Office back to the Department of Community Development, or DCD.
First-year DCD Director Mary Ellen Winborn pitched the move to the three county commissioners in a Feb. 2 work session.
Winborn asked for a full-time code enforcement officer to replace a part-time field officer who is stepping down in mid-March.
Commissioners did not vote on the measure — they will consider approving the full-time position as a quarterly budget emergency this spring — but gave the go-ahead to begin work on making the transition.
“Our current code enforcement officer has been doing a wonderful job assessing complaints, but some of the problems are very complex and need a more comprehensive approach,” Winborn told the board.
“And if we have a full-time officer, we can actually be proactive in our approach in some problems before they become complaints.”
Code enforcement was moved from the DCD to the Sheriff’s Office in late 2010.
“Now we would like it back in DCD,” said Winborn, the nation’s only elected county community development director.
“I would like to work toward the comprehensive nature of the code enforcement unit of four years ago by starting with this full-time position. The unit four years ago included two full-time officers and approximately 10 volunteers.”
Code compliance officers work with the public to resolve health, safety and welfare concerns like faulty septic systems, hazardous materials and junk properties.
The vast majority of nuisance complaints are resolved through voluntary compliance, officials said.
‘Blended program’
Commissioner Jim McEntire said code enforcement is “kind of a blended program” that involves different components of county government.
Health and Human Services Director Iva Burks said she doesn’t care which county department oversees code enforcement.
“We just want the codes enforced,” she said.
Winborn said she and Sheriff Bill Benedict have agreed to work together to hire the code enforcement officer, who will be given a limited commission to write tickets in rare cases of non-compliance.
In a Friday interview, Winborn said she hopes to hire the person in late March or early April.
Clallam County budgeted for two 15-hour-per-week code enforcement officers this year.
After onetime grants for junk vehicle removal and on-site work, the full-time code enforcement officer would cost an additional $10,994, Winborn said.
McEntire said he would consider the proposal because Winborn and other newly elected officials did not have an opportunity to make budget requests last fall.
Long-term funding of the position will be discussed in the 2016 budget process, he said.
Commissioner Mike Chapman said he would agree to the hire with a stipulation that the officer be given limited commission from Benedict to enforce the codes.
“Without his authority, it’s money not well-spent at all, in my opinion,” Chapman said.
“We’ve been down this road. We had two people, but they didn’t have the authority.”
Job description
Chapman asked Winborn and Benedict to work together to draft a job description. He said a retired law enforcement officer would be a perfect candidate.
“We are very happy to work together, absolutely,” Winborn told Chapman.
“There’s no argument between Mary Ellen and I,” Benedict added.
“We’re here on a united front to present what we think is best for the county and to respond to where we’re at.”
The county has been limited to one 15-hour-per-week code enforcement officer since the first part-time officer quit last summer.
“You’re right,” Benedict told Chapman. “We have been ineffective, and there have been complaints that have come around.”
Commissioner Bill Peach asked Winborn to brief the board in the coming weeks on other changes being made in her department.
Winborn on Friday said the addition of code enforcement is the most significant change so far.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
