FY2026-2027 Budget Meeting: Code Enforcement Presentation and Discussion

On April 29, 2026, the City Council held a budget meeting at 1:00 PM to discuss the proposed FY2026-2027 budget and capital plan for code enforcement. Representatives from the Planning and Neighborhoods Department, including Director James Wagner and Code Enforcement Manager Brent Richard, presented a comprehensive plan to eliminate the code enforcement backlog, improve communication with property owners, and add new staff positions. The discussion also covered data on case volume, process improvements, and technological upgrades.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were identified.

Discussion Items

• Backlog and Case Volume: Code Enforcement Manager Brent Richard reported that case volume has increased 56% from 2018 to the end of last year. The department averages 17,000–18,000 cases per year. Priority 1 and 2 cases are handled within a week, but Priority 3 cases (about 82% of the backlog) — including trash, junk, debris, tall grass, and inoperable vehicles — have the longest wait times. The backlog peaked last summer at 3,000–3,500 cases and currently stands at 1,641.
• Two-Customer Approach: The department is shifting from focusing solely on the complainant to also treating the property owner as a customer. Early engagement with property owners is intended to increase voluntary compliance and reduce the need for abatement work orders. Tools include a voluntary compliance toolkit (a one-pager and website with dump passes, roll-off dumpsters, etc.), postcards and text messages sent as courtesy notices before an official inspection, and a work order information sheet.
• Process Improvements: The current process involves a complaint, inspection, mailed notice, 10-day reinspection, and then abatement work order if non-compliant. The proposed process adds an early courtesy notification (postcard and text message) before the official inspection, giving property owners a heads-up to address potential issues before an inspector arrives. This early communication is expected to leverage the 68% voluntary compliance rate seen when property owners are aware of a problem.
• New Positions and Resources: The proposed budget includes funding for three new code inspectors and one office administrator. The office administrator will handle early notifications and administrative tasks, allowing a currently desk-bound code inspector to return to the field — netting four additional field officers. Additional abatement funds are also included to address anticipated increases in inspections and to replenish funds that typically run dry by year-end. Costs for text messaging and postcards are also budgeted.
• Simulation Results: A simulation applying the three new inspectors to last year’s backlog (starting at 1,463 cases) showed it could be reduced to 99 cases over the summer. With the net four officers, the department expects an even greater impact, aiming to eliminate the backlog by July.
• Clarification on Budget Positions: Director Wagner explained that the budget page labeled “Multifamily Housing” was a typo; it actually refers to the “Office of Performance and Accountability,” where three vacant positions were eliminated. No positions were cut from the multifamily housing inspection group, which retains four code inspectors and two fire marshals. Two previously eliminated positions were funded by a contract with the Tulsa Housing Authority that was not renewed. The originally requested supervisor position is no longer needed due to those reductions, and the department is considering adding a neighborhood inspector to avoid a net loss in capacity.
• Technology and 311 Integration: A new public dashboard map is set to go live within the next two weeks. It will display all active and recently closed cases (30-day history) by address and geographic area, with a legend explaining statuses. Citizens will be able to see whether a case has been received, is in progress, or closed. The map will also have a layer for council districts and potentially for neighborhood associations. The department is also working with 311 to fix app issues, such as linking a closed case to its specific address and allowing users to add notes after filing.
• Absentee Landlords and Vacant Properties: Council members raised concerns about out-of-state absentee owners who do not respond to notices. The department maintains an active investors list to help connect interested buyers with such properties. For properties that don’t respond, the standard process applies, and the 10-day notice cannot be accelerated due to state law. However, summary abatement (immediate work order) is possible if an owner has been a violator within the previous two years.
• Business and Dilapidated Structures: For commercial properties, notification mirrors residential procedures; for dilapidated structures or boarding-ups, full legal research is conducted to notify all lien holders. The department is working to connect owners with developers for redevelopment rather than demolition, but noted that finding investors for commercial projects is more challenging than for residential.
• Councillor Harper’s Vacancy Improvement Program (VIP): Councillor Harper mentioned a forthcoming Vacancy Improvement Program. Director Wagner confirmed that a new Housing Program Coordinator position is proposed in the budget to administer that program and other affordable housing redevelopment efforts.

Key Outcomes

• The council received the presentation and engaged in detailed discussion. No formal votes were taken.
• The meeting was adjourned after the presentation and Q&A.
• The department will continue to refine its early notification processes and is working with 311 on app improvements.
• The new dashboard map is expected to be live within the next two weeks.
• A future meeting will focus specifically on all new staffing positions across departments, including code enforcement’s proposed new roles.