Background: Outsourcing to LV Codes
On March 27, the township appointed LV Codes as its zoning enforcement officer, replacing the previous officer, Dave Manter. Since then, the company has issued invoices totaling over $43,840 between April and October. Here is the breakdown:
- April: $23,000
- June: $3,629
- July: $8,017
- August: $3,394
- October: $5,800
The significant costs, particularly the $23,000 billed in April, have raised questions about the efficiency and transparency of this arrangement compared to previous in-house operations.
Conflict of Interest Allegations
Residents have voiced concerns about LV Codes’ compensation structure, which ties payment to fines and enforcement actions. One resident noted that the zoning officer receives 70% of permit fees, potentially incentivizing excessive permitting and enforcement. Meanwhile, inconsistencies in enforcement practices have been reported, with some residents alleging harassment and intimidation by the company.
Comparing Costs and Efficiency
Under the previous arrangement, Jeryl, an in-house zoning officer, billed at an hourly rate of $27. Residents are questioning why the township opted to outsource these services when it might have been more cost-effective to handle them internally. For context, if Jeryl’s hourly rate were applied to the same workload, the costs could be significantly lower, depending on the complexity of the cases.
Next Steps for Transparency
To address these issues, residents are calling for:
- A comprehensive comparison of LV Codes’ billing versus historical costs under in-house zoning officers.
- Full disclosure of emails and records related to zoning decisions.
- An evaluation of alternative zoning enforcement options to ensure fairness and fiscal responsibility.
As the community seeks answers, key questions remain: Why was outsourcing chosen over in-house services? What safeguards are in place to prevent conflicts of interest? And how can the township ensure ethical and efficient zoning practices?
Barrett Township residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as more information becomes available. Further updates will be posted on BarrettCommunity.com.
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