More city employees could write citations

The number of Carson City employees who can write misdemeanor citations for code violations is expected to increase soon.

Allowing as many employees as possible to write citations should increase the public's compliance with city codes, said Andy Burnham, the city's development services director.

"We don't write citations very often," Burnham said. "It's the very last thing we do."

People usually receive warnings before citations are issued. The citations put these disputes before a judge, who decides whether the citation is appropriate and determines how much of a fine should be paid, if any, Burnham said.

Municipal codes usually spell out how enforcement is handled for specific violations.

The city's overhaul in April of recreational vehicle ordinances included enforcement of an array of health and safety rules. It was determined that the city's enforcement rules needed to comply better with the state's.

The Carson City Board of Supervisors first expanded the number and types of employees who could give out citations for city code violations in April. This latest effort is coupled with the renumbering of the Recreational Vehicle Ordinance, which will be found under Title 8, Chap. 8.10 of the city's municipal code once it is approved by the board.

Employees who would be allowed to write the citations include those with the environmental control authority, designees with the utilities, engineering, public works, planning and community development departments.

State code allows citations to be written by: People designated by fire and health departments; inspectors of solid waste management, building, housing, licensing; officers of zoning and parking enforcement, animal control, traffic engineers; and various marshals and park rangers.

"We didn't want a lot of other people writing a lot of citations," said Daren Winkelman, the city's health director. "We try to educate before we regulate."

When implemented, more people being able to write citations should save the city time and money. Many employees who must seek out code enforcement employees to write the citations will be able to take care of it themselves, Winkelman and Burnham said.

-- Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.