SALISBURY — Rowan County Building Code Enforcement Director Pete Bogle announced his resignation Monday after just 13 months on the job.
Bogle said the move was part of his long-term plan to help the county’s code enforcement department and return to being an architect. His last day will be Dec. 20.
“I have very much enjoyed serving in this role for the last 13 months, but as was openly discussed with the county manager as I applied for the position, I never intended for this to be a long-term job,” Bogle said. “Being an architect was and is still my career path. I am excited at the opportunity to rejoin my colleagues at Ramsay, Burgin & Smith, to once again be a contributing part of a great team of architects.”
After he was hired in October 2012, Bogle established himself as a fresh voice in a code enforcement department that had been criticized for years as unfriendly and not cooperative with developers. Bogle replaced Dana Hart, who Page fired in June 2012.
Bogle listed two reasons for his decision to leave: a rebounding construction economy and the department’s development.
In a statement Monday, Bogle said he recommended Thomas O’Kelly as the next director. Bogle said the department is “ready for the next chapter,” and urged the construction community to continue giving the support it currently shows to the inspections staff after his departure.
County Manager Gary Page said Bogle has helped grow the department and expects to see the county fill the top post with an established code enforcement employee.
“He came in at a good time, stabilized the department. I hear nothing but positives. I hate to lose him. I understand he said he was never going to make this a career. I wish he could have stayed a couple more years,” Page said. “But he said some very kind things about the existing staff so I think we’re in good hands. We’ll probably reorganize from within.”
Bogle said his move wasn’t about the county’s decision on the central office, which was designed by his former — and now current — colleague Bill Burgin.
“In light of a recent email exchange that was published in Post, I also feel it necessary to publicly state that the commissioners’ responses have no bearing on my job change decision. The plan to return to Ramsay, Burgin & Smith was being worked out long before my email was written,” Bogle said. “Our commissioners have an impossibly difficult job. While I may not always agree with their stance on a specific matter, I do respect their positions. When Rowan County’s commissioners, past and present, work together as a team, seeking guidance from the county manager, utilizing expert input from the county staff and listening to the voice of the citizens, the right and best decisions do rise to the top.
“I will continue not to fight, but to lend support and encouragement toward finding what is collectively best for all county citizens. I’m only one voice and one perspective, and cannot by myself have all of the answers. I’m a firm believer that it takes collective input to make decisions that are for the good of the collective whole. Our county, cities and towns desperately need to come together as one community as we seek to move forward.”
Bogle is a native of Mt. Ulla and attended West Rowan High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.