Residents warn of code enforcement staffing losses; public speaker urges departmental review

A West Palm Beach resident told the City Commission on Aug. 4 that multiple employees in the city's code enforcement and housing departments have resigned, and she urged commissioners to address the issue. The commission did not take formal action; commissioners and staff said they would follow up with updates. "Code enforcement has lost three more employees," public commenter Danielle Underwood said. "One valuable man who has been in code enforcement for nine years'has resigned... The department is failing." Underwood also said a second staff member resigned the same week and characterized the situation as a structural problem, not merely a personnel matter. Commissioners acknowledged the comments. President Lambert said she appreciated staff updates and looked forward to additional information about code enforcement. Commissioner Ward said her request for a work session sought public communication about how the city is serving residents, not a personnel discussion. Administrator Johnson and staff were asked to provide follow-up information to the commission and the public; no motions or directives were recorded on the public record at the meeting.