Changes are coming in code enforcement and administration in Junction City. It is a study and a work in progress right now but changes will range from license requirements to continuing education requirements for general contractors.

At this point many of the details are being sorted out but City Manager Allen Dinkel feels there will be a benefit. “I moved the Codes Department underneath the Fire Department. One we felt there was some lax in enforcing our codes. We actually have found contractors that we were allowing that didn’t have proper insurance, and I think that’s what you’re trying to save the community. Because if you have a community work on your house and there’s problems they expect to know they have insurance. We can guard that for them.”

Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson has also just recently been appointed to serve as the new Codes Administrator. As he works through the process to review the city codes he is finding a variety of problems. Some contractors do not have required block test scores. The City will also implement required continuing education training, and there are issues with the Board of Contractors. “The Board of Contractors, the only documentation we have that they have ever met was in 2010.” Terms on the board run three years. “This board is supposed to appoint people, it’s not been done. Three of the contractors who were on the board are no longer with us.  They passed away. My contractor’s board is basically defunct. So we have to figure out what we’re going to do’

An in-depth comprehensive review is being done by Johnson. He made it clear to city commissioners this week it will take some time.