Code violators in Jeannette beware.
A full-time code enforcement officer is coming onboard, and city officials hope the move will bring in more revenue and reduce dilapidated properties.
“This is a good next step for the city,” City Clerk Nathan Bish said. “It’s a good way for us to combat blight and combat zoning infractions.”
City council agreed to hire Bill Whetzel, who works as zoning officer and building code official for Jeannette on a contract basis through K2 Engineering, as code enforcement officer. Whetzel will make $60,000 annually.
Fire Chief Bill Frye said Whetzel is responsible for similar duties in other municipalities throughout the region and spent a limited amount of time each week in Jeannette. By hiring him to the full-time spot, Whetzel will be focused solely on the city, taking some of the code-related burden off Frye’s shoulders.