My Side of the Fence

The danger isn't going too far. It's that we don't go far enough.

I think I made a mistake.

During the budget process, I put an additional zoning inspector on the list of things to be considered. As the budget process went forward, it was clear that we were in a tight spot and that the tax rate would have to float up to provide a, more or less, flat revenue stream in order to support City operations. When we got around to discussing new staff, we added 3 new police officers and restored half of the Museum staff that were slated to be cut. The police officers cost a fair amount and I was worried that adding the salary for a zoning inspector would be a bridge too far so I pulled it off the table.

In hindsight, I think it might have been a mistake. It seems that, in the midst of the forced-march to a budget I lost sight of my goal of cleaning up our City.  Tighter enforcement of zoning laws is an integral part of that. It may or may not be too late for this position this year but I’ll wait until the zoning enforcement study comes out until I try to figure out what to do about it. Should be a couple of weeks or so.

4 Comments

  1. Andy, I think you should bring the position up again – most
    Manassas citizens would welcome stronger zoning and code
    enforcement. As former Vice Mayor Gerson noted, we are at
    a tipping point and need to put more weight on the right
    side of the scale.
    Go for it!

  2. Thank you for taking a practical stand on this, Andy. Oftentimes, we get caught up in a blinkered discussion of money, and forget the real economic cause and effect analysis. There are few who would disagree with you that a rational upside downside analysis would very likely prove that the potential economic benefit of approving the position far outweighs the potential economic cost of disapproving it. Yes, it will cost money, but what reduction (or potential lack of appreciation) in real estate market values equates to the all-in annual cost of the position? It’s a simple analysis… and I bet you could easily, and objectively, demonstrate that it’s a good investment.

  3. Andy, at least you, and only you, had the foresight to seek the additional zoning officer position to be included in the budget, and the prudence to know when to take it off the table. And now the city does have the ability to seek out AND enforce the city’s zoning codes thanks to you. And City Manager Hughes says “however, that position may still be created this year”. So the window is still open. Thanks for serving the city with commonsence.

  4. Thank you for being honest!

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