Temple city officials considering letting some residents become code enforcers

News: the Temple City Council is considering a proposal that would allow any residents to act becouse code enforcers.
It’s part of a campaign to cleanup up eyesores around the city. Citing a shortage of code enforcement officers a committee, comprised of 26 Temple city leaders, has asked the city council to adopt a Neighborhood Code Enforcement Board.
The board would be made up of citizen volunteers who would serve as the city's eyes and ears, in an attempt to crack down on neighborhood eyesores, safety hazards.
Code enforcers will be for violations such as garbage and debris found in roadways.
Intresting, - enforcers will issue several warnlngs and if residents do not comply, the city will issue a citation.
Temple City Attorney Jonathan Graham said, "If we can get in some of our neighborhoods, if we can get a few people to voluntarily do what they should be doing, being good neighbors, I think we'll all be better off for it. And that is the premise of the program."
City officials said if adopted, this ordinance will save taxpayers at least $15,000 per month, just in the cost of mailing warnings.
Temple Deputy City Attorney Kathleen Barina said, "We send out anywhere from 1,000-3,000 a month. That is taxpayer money."
The initial response from residents NBC 6 News spoke with was favorable. Temple Resident Alfredo Gomez said, "I guess it would be a good idea instead of the city coming knocking on your door or getting a letter from the city."
Temple Resident Jan Petter said, "Hopefully this will make people more aware of their trash or maybe not thinking that it's trashy, and picking up and keeping things picked up at their house and their yard and everything.
I think it'll be a wonderful, I think it'll be a wonderful thing." Officials said there will be an extensive screening process and everyone appointed to be a Code Enforcement Facilitator will receive thorough training.
The Temple City Council is scheduled to vote on the plan next Thursday.

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