Codes needs to be part of county budget, supervisors say

CHENANGO COUNTY – Rather than raise permit fees to cover its costs, the county’s Code Enforcement Office should get funding in the annual budget – especially since it puts money into the coffers and sees none in return – members of the Safety and Rules committee re-affirmed last week.

The department currently fully funds itself through permitting fees and fines, and is the only such codes operation in the state that does so, county officer Bruce Bates said. However, Bates and Public Health Director Marcas Flindt only expect the revenue to cover half of $200,000 needed to run the operation this year. Both officials said raising the rates, which they say are at a fair level compared with other counties, may not be the answer.