Community Development and Planning Department Director Ron Henrickson has appointed Allen Shayo to the position of County Code Enforcement officer.

“We believe that Allen will do an outstanding job. In the two years he has been with the County as a permit coordinator, he has demonstrated his ability to provide excellent customer service and that will be a real asset in resolving code compliance issues.”

Shayo has a background in land use law as an attorney who practiced in New York State and in Arizona. He moved to San Juan County in 2005.

The code enforcement position became available last month with the passing of Enforcement Officer Jeff Wasnick.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue the good work that was done by Jeff Wasnick,” Shayo said. “This is an important job for the citizens and for the county. I think that Jeff provided a good model for how code enforcement should work.”

Henrickson joined in honoring Wasnick.

“Jeff will be missed both personally and professionally in the department and the county,” he said.

The county receives approximately 150 code-related complaints annually. Henrickson notes that many of those complaints can be dealt with quickly, others can take months to resolve, while some complex and contentious issues have taken years.

Shayo had held one of the two permit coordinator positions the county eliminated effective March 24, due to declining permit revenues.