Jefferson resident Nick Sorensen was recently named as the new Building and Zoning Official for the City of Jefferson.

The Council approved the appointment of the 34 year-old at their meeting last week.  Sorensen has been a police officer for the last 13 years.  He’s been with the Exira and Guthrie Center police departments and most recently with the Jefferson Police Department over that span.  Since July 2012, he’s been a sergeant on Jefferson’s force.  He also owns a part-time construction business.

He was one of 18 applicants for the City position, once the former Building and Zoning Official Tom Heater left for the private sector last month.  City Administrator Mike Palmer says they are happy to have Sorensen’s experience with code enforcement and he’s looking forward to him using the Uniform Property Maintenance Code that the Council passed last year.

“It’s a relatively simple code, but it does give the Building and Zoning Official quite of bit of latitude to address properties that are becoming dilapidated such as broken windows and painting peeling.  The Uniform (Property) Maintenance Code gives a lot more authority for our new person, Nick Sorensen, to come and make some changes.”

Sorensen appreciates his time working with the Jefferson Police Department and is excited for his new position.