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. Effective on July 1, 2000, this office was given jurisdiction over non-plumbing sanitation systems and made responsible for reviewing soil data and ensuring proper identification of soil absorption areas for proposed subdivisions not served by public sewer. The department also administers the Wisconsin Fund Grant Program, which provides grants to eligible homeowners who correct their failing private sewage systems. As part of this program, the office must enforce maintenance for systems within the County.

The zoning duties of this office include reviewing zoning applications, checking floodplain/shoreland/wetland status, determining zoning district designations, issuing addresses, assisting with shoreland contract and variance applications, and issuing zoning permits. The office provides requested information to the public and processes copies of topographic, aerial and zoning maps. Staff investigates zoning complaints and issues orders/citations as needed to obtain compliance. 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.
 

 EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Code Administration has accomplished the following objectives listed in the 2002 budget book:

We are currently working with the Information Systems office to provide Code Administration permit application forms and procedures on the County Internet site and to link the County Code of Ordinances to this site for ease of public access.

The office obtained a 96% compliance rate for Zoning Notices of Violation issued from 1998 through the year 2000. 86% of the 2001 violation notices have attained compliance status through May, 2002. Some cases are pending court action.

We successfully worked with Town and State agencies to promote code-compliant County zoning and sanitation activities and coordinated the enforcement of codes. A staff liaison was provided to attend the Town of Dover Planning meetings.

This office provided staff with copies of the Nonmetallic Mining Ordinance and will provide code enforcement, if required.
 

2003 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

•    Complete work with Information Systems to make the Code Administration Internet site user friendly and beneficial to the public. This will include revising office forms and procedures where necessary to better assist the public.
   
•    Obtain compliance with past and present zoning notices of violation to provide an overall benefit to 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.
   
•    On 1/1/03, sanitation code changes will take effect and allow private sewage system permits to be issued for most of the land in the County. Therefore, we will need to look for ways to reduce the current workload or increase staffing to assist with the anticipated increase in workload for both sanitation and zoning related office activities.