NORWICH – Consolidation could be in the works between Chenango County and the City of Norwich as the former continues to be more dependent on taxpayers for building code enforcement, and, in some cases, taxpayers who would be double billed for services.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard B. Decker, R-North Norwich, said he was “willing to look at anything that’s going to help consolidate and save money for taxpayers.”
County and city officials met Friday afternoon to discuss a plan for shared services for the city and county codes departments. Afterward, Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano said the two entities were “looking at what’s best for the area, providing a good service at a lower cost.”
“There are lots of details to work out. The next step is to take a closer look at the pros and cons, and from there, we can make a decision,” Maiuriano said, adding that the matter was “in the county’s hands.”
The budget for county code enforcement went up nearly 130 percent from 2007 to 2008, and lawmakers were forced to include the six person department on the general tax levy. Previously, permit fees afforded salaries and expenses. Next year’s proposed budget would more than double again, from about $33,500 to $70,500, with expenses outdistancing revenues by a local share tally of nearly $37,000.
Not only have there been fewer big buildings to permit, like Lowe’s and Wal-Mart in the past, but lawmakers have also been reluctant to decrease staff. Finding trained replacements at Chenango County’s low compensation rate would be difficult, they said, and a large number of outstanding permits remained.
The Town of Norwich delivered a blow to the department last year when it joined a handful of other municipalities (including the county’s largest population center, the Town of Greene) that have hired their own enforcement officer. The switchover meant a substantial loss in permit fees for the county. A subsequent plan to charge a service call fee to make up for the loss resulted in fewer overall calls from towns.
The department took another hit this summer when codes’ 10-year veteran enforcement officer took a similar position for more than double the salary in another county. The position is one of two currently unfilled.
Public Health Department officials recommended cutting a building inspector position on two occasions before Safety and Rules Committee lawmakers this year. Both were denied.
In committee last week, Supervisor David C. Law, R-Norwich, questioned whether the 2009 budget overstates revenues from permit fees. He suggested cutting a building inspector, balancing the department’s budget and removing it from the local share entirely.
