Gabe Stark
Reporter

The City of Trenton plans to move nuisance enforcement away from the police department as part of a restructuring approved by the City Council this week.

Council members approved a job description for a full-time code enforcement officer who would work under Wes Barone and handle nuisance violations while training to assist with building inspections and other duties.

City Administrator Matt Harline said the city previously combined nuisance enforcement and animal control duties within the police department.

The city had already budgeted for a part-time position to assist Barone, but Harline said combining that funding with money previously used for the animal control position would allow the city to create a full-time position.

Harline said the new employee would be useful immediately because nuisance enforcement requires less training than becoming a building inspector. Over time, the employee could take on additional building and property maintenance inspection duties, he added.

“This person could help out with some of the tasks at the airport,” Harline said.

Barone currently handles a combination of airport, zoning, building code and other responsibilities. Harline said having another employee available would keep some of those functions moving when Barone is called away to the airport.

The council also approved changing Barone’s title from code enforcement officer and airport manager to community development director.

Harline said the title better reflects Barone’s responsibilities for zoning, building codes, the airport and other development-related city functions although the title change does not include a pay increase.

Officials hope to advertise the new code enforcement position soon, with Harline saying the city could potentially have someone hired by around Oct. 1.

Animal control services would be handled separately.

Harline said the city approached Green Hills Animal Shelter about expanding its role, but the shelter was not interested in taking on additional responsibilities. City officials are now discussing a possible agreement with Affordable Vet Care.

Harline said the cost for a full year of animal control services could be in the range of $44,000, although no formal agreement has been reached. The figure is based largely on money already associated with animal control staffing, boarding, traps and other related expenses.