Benefits of Codification

The Benefits of Codification
Building A More Efficient Government

Return to Why Codify? |
Objectives
What Is Codification?
Why Codify?
Costs Of Not Codifying
Benefits Checklist
A 5-Step Process
Building For The Future
What is Codification?
What is Codification?
To codify means to arrange and systematize.
Codification is the collection and organization of
all your bylaws of a general and permanent nature
into a numbered and stylized document that is
easy to read and easy to access.
Codifying can also include review and revision of
your bylaws to correct conflicts and inconsistencies.
Why Codify?
Why Codify?
Fullfill A Community Obligation

It is the duty of every municipality to maintain
its laws in a comprehensive, up-to-date and
understandable form in a location that the
average citizen can find and use.

Why Codify?
Provide Easy Access To Accurate, Up-To-Date
Municipal Information

By compiling your basic bylaws and all
amendments into one up-to-date document,
you eliminate the need to refer to many
separate documents. The most current
information will be easily accessible.

Why Codify?
Support Enforcement

A Code is a practical and efficient tool for your
courts, police and other enforcement officials,
enabling them to enforce your laws with
confidence and consistency.

Why Codify?
Eliminate Hours Of Frustrating Research

A Code is a single reliable resource for appointed
officials, enabling them to respond accurately to
questions and provide certified copies quickly and
efficiently.

Why Codify?
Plan For The Future

Update information quickly, easily and appropriately.
A Code provides a clear view of existing situations and
makes it easier to determine the impact of proposed
changes and amendments.

The Cost of Not Codifying
The Cost of Not Codifying
Operating Without An Up-To-Date Code
Your community could be losing money on uncollected
penalties and fees. Your staff can be spending valuable
time each day searching for legislation, diverted from
more important functions while they page through books,
sort through files and search through stacks of records.
Ultimately, you may be risking costly legal action by
attempting to enforce invalid, illegal or nonexistent
legislation.
Benefits Checklist
Benefits Checklist
Help build a more efficient government
Gain control of municipal information and save
countless hours of searches
Provide easy access to accurate, up-to-date
municipal information
Help courts, police and other officials enforce laws
with confidence and consistency
Protect your community from costly legal actions
Update information quickly and easily
Codification: A 5-Step Process
A 5-Step Process

1. Research
2. Organization
3. Review and Revision
4. Publication
5. Adoption

A 5-Step Process
1 - Research

As the project begins, a researcher identifies the
legislation to be codified. A list of the legislation
is compiled. Complete, as-adopted copies are
collected and adoption is verified.
A 5-Step Process
2 - Organization
Legislation is organized by the following criteria:
Alphabetically or by topic
Similar pieces of legislation grouped together
Repealed or superseded provisions are
eliminated
Amendments are inserted where necessary
A 5-Step Process

Once the legislation is organized, a manuscript is
prepared for review.

2 - Organization
A 5-Step Process
3 - Review and Revision
The reviewer looks for:
Conflicts and inconsistencies
Duplications
Compliance with statutory requirements
Missing information or legislation
Provisions that could be standardized
Possible enforcement problems
A 5-Step Process

The reviewer also looks for:
Incorrect or unclear wording
Current titles of officials or names of agencies
Other ways to modernize the legislation or
language

A 5-Step Process

The recommended changes are submitted to
the governing body for approval.

A 5-Step Process
4 - Publication
The manuscript is edited and revisions approved by
the governing body are incorporated. Chapter
numbers are assigned and internal sections and
subsections are designated. Internal references are
checked, and cross references and footnotes are
added. Text is edited for correct spelling, grammar
and punctuation, if authorized by the community.
A 5-Step Process

The manuscript proceeds through various
stages of production including page layout,
proofreading and indexing.

4 - Publication
A 5-Step Process

Once completed, access to the Code can be
provided in a variety of mediums:
As printed copies in binders
In electronic format on your computer
On the Internet

4 - Publication
A 5-Step Process
5 - Adoption

Code adoption is necessary to:
Establish the Code as the official body of
municipal law, recognized by the courts
Give it a place in history
Ratify any changes
Provide an effective date for the codification
and revisions
A 5-Step Process

Code adoption is also necessary to:
Approve the renumbering and reorganization
of the legislation
General Code has consulted with the Attorney
General's office to develop appropriate
wording for the warrant articles to put the
renumbering of the bylaws into effect.

5 - Adoption
Growth and Development

When you codify, you build your plan for the future
with a clearly recorded and commonly understood
view of the present. It gives you the ability to assess
the potential impact of proposed changes to
existing laws with greater accuracy.

Keep Your Code Up-To-Date

Your Code is an evolving document. To protect
your investment and ensure that it continues to be
an accurate and reliable resource, your Code
should be kept up-to-date. It is important to
incorporate new legislation into your Code as it is
enacted.

Building An Efficient Government
Accessibility For Everyone

A well-maintained Code is a valuable tool for
municipal officials, one that fulfills a community
obligation. It is the duty of every citizen to know the
law, and it is the duty of the municipality to ensure
that its laws are accessible, up-to-date and in a
form and location that the average person can
find and understand.


To discuss your codification project or our other
products and services, call General Code
at 1-800-836-8834 or e-mail us at
[email protected]
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The Benefits of Codification

Building A More Efficient Government

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