Code Enforcement - how expensive?

Just how expensive is Code Enforcement to a city like Woodstock? And what purpose does it serve?

In Woodstock we have a long list of what are called Nuisance Ordinances. These address the "sights for sore eyes": the inoperable cars in driveways; the obviously-junk vehicles in backyards; the high and noxious weeds in yards; construction debris in yards; sheds falling down; garage sale signs; the junk, for sale or free, that is put out at curbs; etc.

We have a great Code Enforcement Officer here in Woodstock, Donovan Day. He does a conscientious job, respectful and polite to all residents (probably even when they aren't polite to him). And he has a never-ending job.

How could Woodstock modernize Code Enforcement, increase efficiency, lower costs, gain increased awareness and higher voluntary compliance with the ordinances hidden away in the City Code?

More education! More publicity! How about a weekly (or at least monthly) column in The Woodstock Independent? The City could buy advertising space and publicize one or two different ordinances each month.

Could the City mail out a letter first, even before Donovan goes by, after a violation is reported or observed? If a letter resulted in correction of the violation without a personal visit, wouldn't that save a lot of money? A nice form letter and a $0.44 stamp vs. an hour of employee time?

Violations could be photographed and published as examples for other residents. If the City doesn't want to embarrass a violator, stage a "violation" and publicize that.

Use a small portion of the water bill mailing to create awareness of these ordinances. Every house gets one of those. Create a link on the homepage of the City's website to dynamically-presented information designed to grab a viewer's attention.

Use humor, cartoons and caricatures. Use fresh photographs. Woodstock has one of the most stagnant, boring websites I've ever seen. What is there on it that would ever attract a viewer to come back a second time?

The Charleston, S.C. Police Department had a great website under the former chief of police. Now it's dead. It went from dynamic and exciting to dull and boring.

We must have talent among the City employees and residents who would be glad to help inject some "life" into the City's website. A clever, low-priced video could be produced by our own high school students to promote compliance with these ordinances.

Anyone else have creative ideas for increased efficiency and productivity in City government?