By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
For years, the assistant city administrator position was left open for the City of Great Bend. Logan Burns was appointed to the position last November to oversee building inspections, public lands and code enforcement. A few weeks after getting the job, Burns was named interim city administrator until Brandon Anderson started as the city administrator in July.
Now with a refocus on his
original job tasks as assistant city administrator, Burns is able to take on
one of the most scrutinized departments among citizens…code enforcement. Burns
said a rebranding of the code enforcement department is underway and it starts
with gaining the trust of the public.
"We're going to preach consistency...not looking at this one and not the other one," said Burns. "We've had some meetings here recently. I really think with changing our processes will create consistency and gain the trust of the public back. We have to hold ourselves accountable. If we're going to write people up for their yard, we have to take care of our own house from the city's standpoint."
Burns estimated 90% of ordinance violations originate from citizen complaints.
Burns encouraged citizens to “bear with us” as the procedure changes take place
with code enforcement. Burns envisions a more practical, common sense approach
with property owners that are in violation of city ordinances.
"We want to educate and communicate with the community," said Burns. "Here's what we're looking for. If it's something we can help out with...if we need to pick up a tree branch or pallet...we're going to do that."
Code enforcement will also work closely with the Great Bend Police Department’s “Project Clean Sweep.” The police department gets lists of properties that need addressed from code enforcement and officers help clean up the trash and refuse or overgrown vegetation violation. The project focuses on homeowners who are incapable of doing abatement work for themselves.