While the city’s code enforcement division started proactive enforcement Jan. 1, it also began the process of hiring a full-time code officer.
Following the Hollister council’s prior decision to change the code enforcement policy to allow for proactive enforcement of violations – versus merely responding to complaints – the code enforcement division’s new policy went into effect last week, said Mike Chambless, the airport director and code enforcement chief.
After a discussion about the slew of code violations in the city, council members in October decided to change the policy and directed Chambless to pursue a full-time officer to handle the load. Chambless in recent years has spent most of his time on airport duties as opposed to code enforcement issues.
The city posted the job opening – set to pay between $49,500 and $60,300 – with applications due Jan. 31. Chambless hopes to have the person on board by April or May, but it could be even sooner if somebody is hired from in house, he said.
“This would be a full background, which can take months,” Chambless said.
He said he already had been out looking for violations after the new year, signaling a shift in the enforcement approach.
“We’re still in the process of processing how that’s going to work,” he said.
