Jody Baltz
To reduce court system delays and add potential greater punitive measures to get city code violators into compliance, Tullahoma is considering an administrative hearing officer program. During a work session the Board of Mayor and Alderman agreed to have an ordinance drawn-up for consideration for adopting the program that would have a special judge decide codes violation cases and make punitive decisions. Jody Baltz, city administrator, said the process often has little effect because the cases involve a lengthy process with the city taking legal action through Chancery Court, and violation cases are often placed on an extensive docket. Baltz explained that with the administrative officer, fines totaling $500 or $1,000 could be assessed, which is a much greater incentive to have violators address the violations.
