Department will be segmented into two departments to concentrate efforts, increase efficiencies

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Manager Shawn Henessee today announced that the current Community Development Department will be divided into two departments. One will retain the name Community Development Department the other will be named Code Administration Department. This change goes into effect Thursday, Jan. 2.

Dan Young will lead the Community Development Department which will include building safety, development engineering, business technology, land use, administration and finance, wetland and habitat and the permit center. Mitch Nickolds will head up the Code Administration Department which will be responsible for code enforcement, the fire marshal’s office, geographic information services and animal protection and control

Dan currently serves as the county’s interim Fire Marshal and previously worked as the Building Inspections manager in the county’s Building Safety program. He has experience as a State Fire Marshal and as a building inspector for Clark County and the City of Battle Ground.

Mitch has been the Director of Community Development since June 2018. Prior to that, he served as the county’s assistant building official. He also managed inspection services divisions for the cities of Portland and Pasco.

“This is another step towards our goal of reforming the building permitting and inspection processes in order to increase efficiency and consistency,” said Shawn Henessee, county manager. “Separating the responsibilities of these services will allow Dan and Mitch to apply more focused attention to improving the processes.”

Contact information for both departments is available on the county website at www.clark.wa.gov/community-development.

CONTACT
Shawn Henessee
County Manager
564.397.2232