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County May Enlist More Volunteer Code Enforcers

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By JULIA FERRANTE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2008

Pasco County's code enforcement division long has relied on residents to police their neighborhoods and call attention to abandoned cars, errant signs and other unauthorized activity.

With a tight budget this year and more cuts expected in the future, the county commission is beefing up its forces with an expanded volunteer program.

The county commission on Tuesday authorized Code Compliance Manager Richard Ortiz to formalize the program by assigning staff to supervise volunteers, creating new applications and offering training classes.

"We're in the same budget situation you're in, and our workload has increased," Ortiz told commissioners at a meeting at the historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

Commissioner Michael Cox asked County Administrator John Gallagher and Ortiz to look into recruiting more volunteers to meet growing code enforcement needs.

Commissioner Ann Hildebrand supported the idea.

"I know your people are working four ways to Saturday night," she said to Ortiz.

Ortiz said many residents and homeowner associations have expressed interest in helping with code enforcement.

"A lot of them are helping us already," he said.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri said she also supports the volunteer program "as long as we don't become a police state."

Ortiz, who has had to rein in volunteers in the past, said the expanded program will include a screening process and more detailed training. He hopes the additional hands will save the professional code officers time.

"We don't want people to think they the volunteers run their neighborhood," he said. "The zoning officer will be in constant contact with them."

Under the new system, volunteers will report potential violations to a county code officer, who will evaluate the complaint and direct the volunteer to place a door hanger on the door with a warning or take another course of action. If the offender still does not comply, the professional code officer may issue a citation.

"They will be monitored," Ortiz said. "That's the key to it."

Anyone interested in participating should call (727) 847-8171.

The county has had no shortage of interested volunteers, but some helpers have been more enthusiastic than officials would have liked.

Resident Gary Thomas was asked to leave the volunteer sign force after he inundated the code enforcement department with complaints.

Thomas later found himself in a legal battle with the county after he was trolling his neighborhood for signs and was accused of theft.

Prosecutors said Thomas picked up the wrong kind of sign. He disputed the charge, and the case was dismissed.

Reporter Julia Ferrante can be reached at (813) 948-4220 or jferrante@tampatrib.com.

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