Chapter 2.27
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Sections:
2.27.010 Establishment.
(A) Appointment. There is hereby created the position of code enforcement officer. The person shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the chief inspector/building commissioner.
(B) Oath and Bond.
(1) Before any such code enforcement officer shall enter upon the office’s duties, the code enforcement officer shall be required to take and subscribe an oath of office and shall file an individual bond in the sum of $15,000 payable to the state of Indiana, pursuant to IC 5-4-1-10, to be approved by the town clerk-treasurer.
(2) The bond shall be conditioned upon the faithful performance of the code enforcement officer’s duties, including the duty to comply with IC 35-44.1-1-1 and the duty to account properly for all monies and property received by virtue of the employee’s service in the office or position.
(3) The premium on said bond shall be paid by the town. Said bond may be executed with any recognized surety company authorized to do business in the state.
(4) The bond, as well as the oath, shall be filed in the office of the clerk-treasurer and recorded in the office of the recorder of Lake County, pursuant to IC 5-4-1-5.1.
(5) It is highly preferred but not required that the code enforcement officer be a resident of the town.
(C) Duties and Powers. It shall be the duty of the code enforcement officer to investigate complaints regarding ordinance violations, issuing such warning citations, valid citations or letters as warranted, following the progressive disciplinary process. In addition, the code enforcement officer shall receive instructions from the chief inspector concerning municipal codes to be enforced and shall assist the chief inspector in the administration of the building and construction code and such other matters as the chief inspector may from time to time direct which may include but not be limited to visual inspection and patrol to check for municipal code violations, unlicensed contractors, undocumented construction projects, unregistered businesses, public nuisances, and portable sign violations.
(D) Additional Duties and Records. The code enforcement officer shall keep a careful and accurate record of all warning citations, valid citations, issued letters and such other work product as may be generated in consequence of his duties. The code enforcement officer shall provide such information as may be necessary to support the town prosecuting attorney in court hearings and such other enforcement proceedings as may be undertaken.
(E) Prohibited Interests. It shall be unlawful for the code enforcement officer to engage in the business or crafts over which he may have regulatory authority, in the town of Highland, nor shall he have any direct financial interest in any such concern inside the town of Highland at any time while holding the office of code enforcement officer.
(F) Fees and Fines. All fees and fines collected in conjunction with the duties and powers of the assistant ordinance inspector shall be paid into the proper fund of the town of Highland.
(G) Compensation and Qualifications. The code enforcement officer should have a knowledge and understanding of the town codes and their applications. The code enforcement officer shall be paid on an hourly basis according to the grade and rate established and in force and effect in the most recent wage and salary ordinance as passed by the town council from time to time. The code enforcement officer shall carry out his duties as may be needed and as directed by the chief inspector. Any change in the compensation or any change in the position sufficient to affect the compensation of the position shall only be effective upon proper action and authorization of the town council. [Ord. 1736 § 1, 2021].