The Code Enforcement arm of the Augusta Planning and Development Department has been plagued by staff shortages, a poor image and an inability to combat blight, and Interim Director Carla Delaney says it is time for a “reset” in the department.
Speaking before the Public Service Committee at the Oct. 25 meeting, Delaney said that the average number of new cases brought annually before code enforcement exceeds the number of properties the department is able to get into compliance by a large margin.
Code Enforcement Manager Terrence Wynder told commissioners he only has a staff of eight inspectors to handle thousands of enforcement cases each year. Enforcement officers are paid an average of around $37,000 a year and Delaney said that is difficult to recruit at such a low pay rate.
Wynder says that his staff worked diligently through COVID despite the manpower shortages, but there is no way for his office to keep up with over 3,900 enforcement cases.
“We need boots on the ground in these neighborhoods, community engagement and educating the public on what we do and how we do what we do,” Wynder said.
According to Wynder and Delaney, around 90% of the cases are residential, which means sometimes enforcement officers have to go into unsafe areas.
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In 2020, code enforcement officer Charles “Chip” Case was hanging up a condemned sign on a residence when he was ambushed and shot to death. Since Case’s murder, inspectors have been forced to wear ballistic vests for their safety.
Delaney says the vests give the enforcement officers an “off-putting” image and makes it appear that Code Enforcement is “criminalizing” being out of compliance. According to Delaney, having an unwritten rule that all enforcement officers wear Kevlar vests is overkill.
“We don’t want to eliminate it, what we want is situational awareness, knowing when to use it, how to use it. There have been instances even in the main building where someone has seen staff going out and they’re like ‘y’all are wearing that?’” Delaney said.
According to Delaney, her overall plan is to rebrand the enforcement department following what she termed the national trend of “compassionate code compliance.” Delaney asked commissioners to consider renaming the department from code enforcement to simply code compliance.
Delaney said she also wants to launch a pilot program called “Supply to Comply.” The program would supply vouchers to property owners that will allow them to rent equipment needed to keep their homes in compliance.
Around $50,000 per year would be allocated to provide free rental equipment such as ladders, chain saws and leaf blowers on a first-come first-serve basis.
Upon being questioned, Wynder also addressed the new blight ordinance and told commissioners the first six legal cases being brought under the new ordinance are due to go to court in either late November or early December.
The Public Service Committee agreed to forward the matter to the full commission with the recommendation that a workshop be held to discuss all of Delaney and Wynder’s recommendations.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
