Twin Falls' enforcer was bestowed a new superpower Monday.

The Twin Falls City Council agreed Monday to allow the city's code enforcement officer to issue citations to violators of city code and various ordinances and zoning rules.

The 7-0 decision authorizes Scott Standley, the city's code enforcement officer since October, to issue citations to city residents who have violated city code after they refuse to comply. City officials have said recently that the city is trying to be more proactive, not reactive, when dealing with city ordinances.

Currently, Standley is allowed to issue verbal warnings and tickets, but he must be accompanied by the Twin Falls Police Department in order to issue a citation. Standley received the same Peace Officer Standards and Training as other officers, said Twin Falls City Attorney Fritz Wonderlich.

"This move just takes the police department out as a middle stop," said Sherry Jeff, the city's sanitation director.

The citation can result in fines of up $1,000 and/or six months in prison. The amount assessed to the violator would be determined in court, said Wonderlich

During the summer, Standley's fieldwork - more than 20 cases daily, he's estimated - is heavy on weed complaints, often concerning them being too long and unkempt. Other situations include junk violations, vacant vehicles left unattended and illegal signs across town.

The position, according to city officials, had been part-time and seasonal. When Standley arrived last year, the job was restructured to include planning and zoning duties.

Jeff said the city tries to work with people who violate city code and ordinances, and rarely has problems. But, she said, occasionally residents are resistant.

"Unfortunately some of them just won't do it," she said.