City of Arlington Code Compliance Earns State, National and International Community Service Team Awards

By Carol Weemes, Code Compliance Services

Posted on March 07, 2023, March 07, 2023

Arlington’s Code Compliance recent international award for community service is now complemented by awards received on the national and state levels.

Arlington’s Code Compliance was presented the Code Enforcement Association of Texas (CEAT) 2022-2023 Wes Castolenia Community Service Award at the CEAT annual education and business conference held on Feb. 17 in Beaumont.

The department was notified that it is also the recipient of the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) Community Service Team Award announced in October 2022 at the AACE conference held in Atlanta.

Code Compliance and the City of Arlington want to express great appreciation to all the community partners and volunteers that dedicate time, effort and resources to the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) at neighborhood cleanups and events. We are thankful for our community volunteers and partners that helped make possible the outstanding recognition received over the past five months on the state, national and international level.

Since August 2019, NET community partnerships gained the support of more than 200 volunteers at 19 neighborhood cleanup events, resulting in 127.2 tons (254,000 pounds) of trash and debris removed from neighborhoods, helping to inspire community pride and making Arlington neighborhoods cleaner, safer and more attractive.

Code Compliance established its Tool Sharing Program in February 2021, and as of January 2023 over 1,500 tools have been checked out by Arlington residents. The program, free for residents, offers 57 different types of tools to help perform property cleanup and maintenance with mowers, edgers, tree trimming equipment and more. Tools to aid with home improvement such as paint kits and tools for performing home and fence repair tasks are also available for residents. The program is unique in that staff makes free door-step deliveries and pick-up of the tools borrowed at no cost, making it a win-win for residents and the community. Improved property maintenance made possible through this program is reducing hundreds of potential code violations.

It is unprecedented for Arlington’s Code Compliance department to be awarded state, national and international awards.

We would like to again express sincere appreciation to all that volunteer time, energy and resources to support NET events with neighbors helping neighbors, helping make Arlington a great place to live, work, learn and play.

Special appreciation to these community and collaborative partners:

The Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church; Heart of Arlington Neighborhood Association (HANA); Leadership Arlington; Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist; First United Methodist Church of Arlington; East Arlington Renewal; Junior League of Arlington; Arlington Hispanic Citizen Police Academy; Community Advocating for Prosperity and Opportunity (CAPO); Arlington Clergy and Police Partnership (ACAPP); Travis Manion Foundation; The Mission Continues; Lowe’s of Arlington; ELITE Roofing and Remodels; UT Arlington Chapter of Circle K International (CKI); Arlington’s Mayor and City Council; City Manager’s Office; Environmental Services; Arlington Public Library; Office of Strategic Initiatives; Office of Communication; Arlington Police Department; Arlington Fire Department; Parks & Recreation; Republic Services and all that work to Champion Great Neighborhoods in The American Dream City.

Interested in volunteering at an upcoming NET event? Visit the NET website to learn about how to become a community volunteer or cleanup day sponsor.

Are you an Arlington resident in need of assistance at your property? Visit our Code Compliance Cares website to learn about some resources to help.