The issue of a part-time code enforcement officer was discussed during Monday morning’s Marshall County Council meeting.
Planning Commission President Stan Klotz noted that there are some issues concerning code enforcement in the county. He said Planning Director Ralph Booker is in an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Plymouth in addition to his full-time duties with the county. He believes that because of the split focus, code enforcement has been lacking in the county.
“My problem is not with the intergovernmental agreement,” stated Klotz. “It’s the fact that the county’s work is not getting done. We have habitual offenders out here that go on and on and on and these people deserve to be protected.”
He presented a proposal creating a part-time position with the county for code enforcement.
“Our proposal is for a part-time, temporary position to last no more than one year. After the first six months, we would have an evaluation and make sure we’re getting the results that we desire. This position would be for two days a week totaling 15 hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a half-hour lunch. One day would be a set specific day in the office. The second day would have to float with court cases, and evaluations, meeting with the attorney and whatever we have going on.”
The officer would work strictly for the Board of Zoning Appeals, not for the planning director, to help with the work and code enforcement.
Klotz asked for support from the council and a motion was made in support of the proposal plus the gathering of more information concerning how fees may help support the funding the position and other concerns. The motion passed on a vote of 4-2-1. Council members Bill Githens, Jim Masterson, Don Morrison and Heath Thornton voted in support of the request while Judy Stone and Jon Van Vactor opposed it. Penny Lukenbill abstained from the vote.
Meanwhile, the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety members Monday night discussed the intergovernmental agreement in place with Marshall County Planning Director Ralph Booker. The council members unanimously approved the agreement which includes half of Booker’s pay to go to the county for his services to the city and the other half is paid to Booker.
Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi explained that Ralph Booker is anticipating retirement from his county position in June of 2018. The 2018 contract agreement with Booker would pay half of the wages to the county and half to Booker for six months. Following that, the entire amount would go to Booker as he tentatively plans to stay with the city as the plan director. The contract agreement was also unanimously approved.
The county commissioners will also consider the intergovernmental agreement when they meet on Monday, Dec. 18.
