CODE ADMINISTRATION DIVISION

David Mundigler

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

Pursuant to State Statute, the Code Administration Division administers the state-mandated Private Sewage System Program for all non sewered areas of Racine County, along with general zoning functions for all townships except Mount Pleasant. In addition, the office administers shoreland, floodplain and shoreland-wetland zoning for all unincorporated areas within the County.

The Division's sanitation duties include soil saturation monitoring and soil on-site investigations, certifying soil testers' reports, reviewing sanitary system plans and applications, issuing sanitary permits, inspecting systems prior to backfill and issuing notices of noncompliance where needed. New duties imposed by recent Commerce code changes include jurisdiction over non-plumbing sanitation systems, reviewing subdivision soil data and enforcing maintenance for all systems within the County. The department also administers the Wisconsin Fund Grant Program, which provides grants to eligible homeowners who correct their failing private sewage systems.

Zoning duties include reviewing zoning applications, checking floodplain/shoreland/wetland status, determining zoning district designations, issuing addresses, filing shoreland contract and variance applications, and issuing zoning permits. Staff investigates complaints and issues orders/citations as needed to obtain compliance and supplies copies of topographic, aerial and zoning maps. In addition, this office is responsible for coordinating public hearings and providing staff to assist and act as Secretary to the County Zoning Board of Adjustment.
 

ACHIEVEMENT OF PERFORMANCE GOALS

Code Administration has accomplished the following objectives listed in the 2001 budget book:

Successfully worked with Town and State agencies to promote code-compliant County zoning and sanitation activities and coordinated the enforcement of codes.

Rewrote the County Utilities Ordinance and, prior to implementation, the staff attended continuing education courses and were trained on the new County and State Department of Commerce (DCOMM) code changes.

Created new forms, permits and procedural handouts to assist customers and allow the smooth implementation of the sanitary code changes.

In addition, Code Administration passed the DCOMM audit of the County private sewage system program.
 

2002 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

•  Work with Information Systems to make Code Administration permit application forms and procedures available on the County internet site and to link the County Code of Ordinances to this site for ease of access.
   
•  Obtain compliance with past and present zoning notices of violation to provide an overall benefit to the County citizens.
   
•  Work hand-in-hand with the Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Department of Commerce and local units of government regarding principles of sanitation and zoning.
   
•  Educate staff on their duties related to the new Racine County Nonmetallic Mining Ordinance provisions.