Code Enforcement Master Plan
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The Skinny: Seems like everybody and his sibling wants to add a plank to this evolving platform. No one disputes the goal. Every Fresnan deserves safe, comfortable and affordable shelter. Is Big Brother the only way to get it?
The Rundown: “The existence of blighted, boarded-up residential properties is a priority issue that has plagued Fresno neighborhoods for too long. Addressing and remediating this issue will go a long way in improving property values and promoting reinvestment in established neighborhoods. The Task Force believes that implementing the recommendations included in this report is an important first step in evaluating and improving the community’s Code Enforcement processes. Effective implementation of these recommendations will have a deep and positive impact on many dozens of neighborhoods throughout our City. The Task Force looks forward to monitoring the results of implementation and taking on future efforts based upon the findings of this team.” (Source: Mayor-City Council Code Enforcement Task Force report, April 2015)
The Pledge: “Code enforcement is essential for bringing new life to our older neighborhoods and creating an environment that improves the quality of life for residents while attracting private investment in communities that need attention. I look forward to working with City Council and community members on this critical issue so that we can make Fresno’s neighborhoods valuable for current and future residents.” – Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Oct. 9, 2014, on the launching of the Mayor-City Council Code Enforcement Task Force. (Source: City of Fresno)
The City of Fresno is the 5th largest City in the State of California and has an annual Budget of almost a billion dollars, with approximately 4,000 employees, and does NOT have an Internal Audit Unit to ensure the proper accounting, internal controls and safeguarding of all City Assets are in place and functioning as intended. As the retired Principal Internal Auditor for the City of Fresno, effective January 2016, this area should be of significance to the City and newly elected Mayor and all Council Members. All the top ten Cities in the State of California, except the City of Fresno, have an Internal Audit Unit. For the structure, benefits and type of Internal Audits performed by the Internal Audit Unit I oversaw while employed with the City, I reference all viewers of this comment to the City’s Administrative Order 1-10. I would hope that this significant area of concern and importance might be #11 on the Mayor’s Listing going forward. Thank You!