Pierce County has consolidated two code enforcement offices as it tries to cut costs and better enforce laws against junk cars and other nuisances.

In a change that began last week, some code enforcement functions in the planning department have moved to public works. A planning department supervisor’s job has been eliminated, and the move is expected to save $143,000 annually.

It’s the first of what might be many changes as County Executive Pat McCarthy tries to follow through on a pledge to improve customer service even as the county struggles to balance its budget.

“This consolidation is part of a larger effort by my office to make our code enforcement and permitting system more efficient,” McCarthy said.

When she ran for county executive last fall, McCarthy made improving customer service the centerpiece of her campaign. Through two rounds of spending cuts this year, McCarthy has described the county’s budget problems as an opportunity to re-examine priorities and revisit long-standing practices.

The code enforcement consolidation is one result.

Previously, officers in the county’s Pierce County Responds program – based in the public works department – mostly addressed nuisance-vehicle complaints. Planning department officers focused on zoning, building and some other violations.

Officers from one department didn’t have the authority to address all of the violations they might see. So the county would send a second officer for another inspection. Property owners might receive multiple violation notices and face more than one deadline for compliance.

Yvonne Reed, supervisor of the Pierce County Responds program, said that could be confusing for property owners.

Now the two groups of code enforcement officers have been consolidated and cross-trained. The combined staff has six officers capable of responding to a range of violations.

Reed said the consolidation means one officer can visit a property, saving time and money. And she said it’s easier for property owners to deal with a single officer.

On Thursday code enforcement officer Mark Luppino visited two properties in the Prairie Ridge neighborhood near Bonney Lake.

At the first home he found cars, recreational vehicles, a pickup truck and flatbed trailers stacked with lumber. Other debris – old tires, steel drums, paint cans – also cluttered the yard. And several sheds appeared to violate county rules requiring buildings to be set back from property lines.

“Before the consolidation, I had to refer the setback issues to the planning department,” Luppino said.

At the second home, Luppino found eight vehicles at what reportedly is an illegal auto dismantling business. The work allegedly is done under a large tent that abuts a neighbor’s fence – a violation of county setback requirements.

Luppino has sent warning letters to the owners of both properties. He hopes they’ll clean up so the county won’t have to do it for them.

“We’re not after the people,” Luppino said. “We just want to get the property in compliance.”

Some code enforcement functions – like building inspections – remain in the planning department. But the consolidation of some enforcement responsibilities will get a trial run for the rest of the year. If it works McCarthy will ask the County Council to make the change permanent in 2010.

Deputy County Executive Kevin Phelps said the administration is looking for other efficiencies.

It’s looking for ways to reorganize the planning department. It’s considering transferring parks to other local governments. It’s streamlining development regulations at the request of the County Council.

Phelps said budget problems are driving the initiative. The county already has cut more than $12 million – or about 4 percent – from its general fund budget this year. Bigger cuts may be coming in 2010.

“Ultimately, it’s all going back to what makes sense in terms of how we use our staff,” Phelps said.

David Wickert: 253-274-7341

david.wickert@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics

MAKING A COMPLAINT

The Pierce County Responds program investigates numerous illegal activities, including:

 • Abandoned vehicles on public and private property

 • Businesses operating or expanding at unauthorized locations

 • Illegal dumping on public or private property

 • Illegally occupied recreational vehicles

 • Junk, salvage and wrecking yards

 • Littering on county-maintained roads

 • Illegal signs on private property

 • Violations of setbacks, shorelines and zoning regulations

To make a complaint, call the Pierce County Responds hot line at 253-798-4636 or visit www.piercecountyresponds.org.