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Code Enforcement Has Been Good For Century; 160 Cited, Most Comply

The return of code enforcement to Century has been a good thing, according to the town’s mayor.

Since Century’s contract with Escambia County Code enforcement  began in early March, at total of 160 citations have been issued, according to Mayor Freddie McCall. Of those, all of 15 have been cleared up, not counting about a half dozen citations issued just last week.

“The code people have been well received in our town,” McCall said. “People have really cooperated.”

McCall was one of the first to be ticketed by Escambia County Code Enforcement when they returned to Century on March 4. McCall was cited for violations that included trash and debris, an inoperable vehicle, overgrowth and a dilapidated structure on property he owns on McCall Road. McCall said he spent about $550 to clean up his property to bring it into line with the town’s codes. He said he was glad that the county was being fair about their code enforcement actions.

He said the return of code enforcement to Century has encouraged residents to clean up their property, often leading to piles of debris on the town’s streets. At times, the mayor said, there has been a backlog of debris pickups that have stressed the town’s resources. But workers have removed the debris, and that, the mayor said, is leading to much cleaner Century.

Century’s code enforcement agreement calls for Escambia County to provide code enforcement for both county and town ordinances within the town limits. Sandra Slay, Escambia County’s code enforcement manager, told the town council that the enforcement will be “proactive”, The code officers will not respond to citizen complaints within the Town of Century; rather, the officers will seek out violators.

Under the agreement, the Town of Century is responsible for removing nuisance violations, such as tearing down buildings that owners do not repair.

The county is to provide a monthly report of all enforcement activities in Century to the town The county’s enforcement activities are being funded by a Community Development Block Grant. The county is receiving all fines and fees collected from Century violators.

Previously, Century ended an agreement with Escambia County to provide code enforcement in the town. Under that agreement, the county’s code enforcement officers worked Century and wrote citations that were turned over to the town for abatement. The services were provided by the county at no charge to Century.

That earlier arrangement came under fire, with allegations that the county’s officers provided selective enforcement, citing some people but no others. That prompted the council to sever the relationship with Escambia Code Enforcement.

Pictured top: After the owner of building  at 9500 North Century Boulevard was cited by Escambia County Code Enforcement, he had the buildings demolished. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.