BOARD MATTER
December 4, 2006

Support of the County’s Blight Abatement Program

Mr. Chairman:

Over the last three years, I have received numerous complaints regarding properties that would have benefited from the intervention of the county’s Blight Abatement Program. Residents file complaints not only because a property is unsightly but because it can truly become an overarching public safety concern. Currently, my office has close to a hundred pending cases at various stages under the Blight Abatement Program.

This invaluable service to county residents has been slowed down due to gaps in coordination with other critical agencies. One of the crucial tools that staff need to improve inter agency coordination is full access to FIDO. Full access to FIDO will enable staff to work on cases faster and more efficiently as they will readily have pertinent information available to them.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the County Executive look into allowing the Blight Abatement Program staff full access to FIDO as soon as possible.