Mayor & Commission Meetings

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 16, 2026 Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Commissioner Patrick Davenport, Committee Chair Commissioner Mike Hamby Commissioner Melissa Link Commissioner Dexter Fisher Commissioner Tiffany Taylor Staff: Andrew Saunders, Interim-Assistant Manager Melinda Lord, HCD Director Doug Hansford, Building Inspections Director Marqueta Swain, HCD Jack Reddick, Code Enforcement Administrator Chinesia Thompson, Recorder Committee Chair Davenport called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. The Government Operations Committee did not have a quorum, so approval of the previous meeting minutes was postponed. The meeting proceeded with a presentation on renter protections and resources, followed by discussion on employee support initiatives. A. Commission Identified Items of Interest: Enhance Renter Protections & Resources (Mayor Girtz assigned to GOC on April 18, 2023) The renter protections discussion focused on the legal limitations local governments face. State law prevents the county from interfering in private lease agreements between landlords and tenants, regulating rent amounts, or requiring a mandatory rental property registry. However, the county can share code enforcement outcomes publicly, as long as personal information is not disclosed. Officials clarified that while a full rental registry is not allowed, the county may maintain general property data (such as homestead status) to help identify potential rental properties. Code enforcement staff explained how property maintenance is handled. They follow the International Property Maintenance Code and conduct exterior inspections through routine patrols. Interior inspections require tenant complaints and permission to enter. Common issues addressed include plumbing, heating, electrical safety, and basic housing conditions. Since August 2024, over 300 housing cases have been opened, with most resolved through warning notices rather than citations. Staff also highlighted challenges such as tenants hesitating to report issues due to fear of landlord retaliation. The committee reviewed ways to improve communication and transparency. Proposed solutions included distributing tenant repair guides through water bill inserts or newsletters, increasing outreach at community events, and developing a public dashboard to track code enforcement activity. This dashboard would allow residents to see complaints, case status, and trends, helping build trust and awareness. A voluntary landlord certification program was also  discussed, but concerns were raised about staffing demands and limited participation from problematic landlords. Fair housing was another key topic. Officials emphasized that fair housing laws specifically address discrimination based on protected classes such as race, religion, gender, and disability, but not affordability. The county’s role is limited to education and connecting residents to state or federal resources like HUD, rather than providing legal guidance. Upcoming fair housing events in April were announced to increase public awareness and access to resources. The committee discussed broader housing challenges, including poorly maintained rental properties and the impact of student housing on single-family neighborhoods. Enforcement of occupancy limits (such as restrictions on unrelated individuals living together) was noted as difficult due to the burden of proof. Members suggested that better education for tenants and landlords could improve compliance, as many violations stem from a lack of awareness. After discussion, Commissioner Link made a motion to move forward with enhanced outreach efforts with $6,000 Recommendation (Option B) and requested that staff return with additional information on a potential voluntary registry (Option C) later. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Taylor. It passed unanimously. Review and enhance ACC Employee engagement/survey/support opportunities for our entire workforce (Mayor Girtz assigned to GOC on April 18, 2023) Results from a recent employee engagement survey were reviewed, showing strengths in workplace culture and respect, but concerns about compensation, benefits, and recognition. Since the survey, the county has implemented pay increases, frozen employee health insurance contributions for three years, and conducted compensation studies to improve equity. Staffing levels have also improved, though recruitment and retention remain ongoing priorities. Additional ideas discussed included expanding leave benefits and improving internal communication across departments. Commissioner Taylor made a motion to pass with no action. Commissioner Link seconded that motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Link made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 15,2025 meeting. Commissioner Taylor seconded the motion, and it passed by unanimous vote. Commissioner Taylor made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Link seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Government Operations Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 03162026