Dave Gieske, vice president of the Whispering Valley Lakes Improvement Association, told the Franklin County Commission on Sept. 24 that the private subdivision is struggling with abandoned trailers, trash and people living without water or sewer.

"We have some issues that we'd like to address, before the county board," Gieske said, asking what county help is available for removal of people, trailers and trash in the private community.

Gieske said the association has filed witness reports and pursued court action against trespassers but has seen long delays in the prosecutor's office and the courts. "We were trying to find out an order of trespass. And they went last week to court, and we still haven't heard anything from the judge regarding what is going on with that," he said. He added the subdivision has about "429" residents and roughly "15 miles of roads" maintained by the community.

Commissioners responded that enforcement and timing for condemnation or removal are legal issues the county must handle through its departments and counsel. "That's more of a legal question," a county commissioner said, adding the commission can inquire with planning and zoning and building departments to see the status of complaints and whether timelines to correct violations have been triggered.

Commissioners urged residents to provide documentation and, for safety or criminal concerns, to bring evidence to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. A county official said: "If you have evidence...snap a picture or something like that and bring it to their attention. That definitely will help bring the help you need." The sheriff's office was described as responsive; commissioners said they would bring drug-related concerns to law enforcement attention.

Gieske said the association has been replacing or removing structures but that some parcels must remain untouched for a year before the association may demolish them. He asked whether that waiting period is a county or state rule; commissioners said they would check the applicable rules and consult counsel. Gieske also said a single problematic property can undermine broader cleanup and rebuilding efforts.

County officials offered to review any complaints submitted to planning and zoning or building departments and to follow up with counsel and the sheriff's office to determine what legal remedies and enforcement are available. Commissioners cautioned, however, that court scheduling and prosecutorial decisions are outside the commission's direct control and that case backlog can slow outcomes: "There's a tremendous number of things that are going through the court process... it takes time to do that," a commissioner said.

Residents pressed for more regular sheriff patrols; officials noted deputies can patrol gated communities and asked residents to identify deputies if response was slow so supervisors can follow up. The county also encouraged filing new witness reports and supplying photo documentation to help investigations.

The commission did not take a formal vote or adopt a new policy at the meeting. Commissioners said they would inquire with department heads and counsel and urged the Whispering Valley association to continue providing documentation and to coordinate with the sheriff's office for public-safety issues.

The public-comment exchange took place during the meeting's public-comment period and lasted roughly 21 minutes, with back-and-forth between Gieske, county commissioners and a sheriff's representative.