New County Code Enforecement System Launches

IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:  Ellen Kobler

March 13, 2014                                                    Office:  410-887-2470

                                                                              Cell: 410-365-2834

                                                                              ekobler@baltimorecountymd.gov

                                                        

 

Kamenetz Announces Online Code Enforcement System that Boosts Efficiency,

Offers Citizens Direct Access and Real-Time Updates

Towson, MD -  Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz met this morning with a number of community leaders to officially launch a new online system that offers residents unprecedented access to Code Enforcement case updates while streamlining administrative functions, enhancing the County's efficiency and reducing costs.

"This new Code Enforcement tracking and management system is the next step in making County government more efficient and cost-effective, while enabling citizens to communicate with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Kamenetz said. "This field-based system means that our Code Enforcement inspectors can spend a lot more time out in the field inspecting and less time in the office doing paperwork. Plus it offers community members instant access to track our enforcement efforts."

The system empowers citizens, giving them immediate confirmation when they submit a complaint, direct notification of inspections and correction notices, and, if necessary, details of enforcement actions and hearings.

Latest Element in System-wide Technology Upgrades

This is the latest module implemented as part of the County's new $1.13 million technology platform that integrates Geographical Information System (GIS) data with agency workflow systems, maximizing efficiencies and supporting business decisions while also increasing transparency and offering better customer service and access. These automations improve overall data integrity and reduce the costs and wasted time related to manual data entry and analysis.

Other processes already automated through this system include Animal Services, Animal Licensing, Development Management and Residential Parking.

Code Enforcement System Saves Time and Money

The new system outfits County Code Inspectors with iPad notepad computers to develop their daily routes, investigate and report on complaints, request correction notices, take photographs and generate re-inspection dates. This new field-based capability eliminates the need for inspectors to spend hours each day in the office doing paperwork and printing and filing hard copies of photos and reports. The County projects savings of about $75,000 per year in printing and paper supplies alone, more than offsetting the $18,400 cost for the inspectors' iPads.

The Code Enforcement Bureau processes about 18,000 complaints per year, with increased volume during the warmer months, including an estimated 150-200 complaints per day in the summer for tall grass and weeds. The most common complaints include tall grass and weeds; junk, trash and debris, untagged/inoperable vehicles; trash not stored properly and graffiti.

"These kinds of concerns really go to the core of protecting our neighborhoods and this new automated system gives community leaders a great tool for reporting and tracking troubling situations in their areas," said Baltimore County Council Chair Cathy Bevins.

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How to File Your Code Complaint Online

1.       Visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/codecomplaint.

2.       Under the File a Complaint Online heading, select the type of complaint you'd like to submit. You will then be taken directly to the Code Enforcement Complaint form.

3.       Read and agree to the terms of service.

4.       Fill in the fields to file your complaint.

·         Provide an exact address of the complaint if possible. If you don't know the exact address, provide the street name and an approximate number.

·         You must provide a description of the complaint. More detail is better.

·         You may provide your contact information or file anonymously. If you provide an email address, you will be notified at each step as your complaint moves through the tracking system.   Your contact information and email address will be available only to County personnel and is not visible to others using the web site.

5.       When you submit your complaint, it is automatically entered  into the tracking system. In most cases, it will be investigated within a few days.

How to Follow Up on Your Complaint

1.       Visit www.baltimorecountymd.gov/codecomplaint.

2.       At the bottom of the page, look for the Check Complaint Status heading and select "Check the status."

3.       If you have your complaint case number, you may enter it. You may also search for a complaint by date range, address or partial street name.