The Town of Evans has a team of code enforcement officers. A Senior inspector and five assistants. I have found that if you work with them, they will work with you. You go to them with an adversarial attitude and they may or may not work with you. They are human, they do make mistakes, if shown using proper tone and attitude they can correct the mistakes. I have seen penny saver ads expressing disdain for a certain town here in WNY's inspector, yet I have found him very friendly and easy to work with.
As far as why we pay them and even have them, take a look at a certain location near the Cattaraugus Creek and that will give you a clear answer.