Howard County commissioners seek cleanup funds for junk-filled property, press for nuisance ordinance and code enforcement

Howard County commissioners asked the county council to approve an additional appropriation from the unsafe-properties fund to clean one long-troubled parcel at 477 North Hickory Lane and urged the county to adopt a nuisance ordinance paired with enforceable code‑enforcement capacity.

Commissioner Dodd urged action on the property, which he and other officials described as “a junkyard” spanning three lots and filled with vehicles, trailers and debris. He told the council the county had pursued the owner in court, that the court had given the owner time to comply, and that residents near the property continue to complain about its condition and the effect on neighboring property values.

The matter came during discussion of an omnibus additional‑appropriations ordinance. The county requested roughly $56,000 for the Stevens property cleanup, citing a contractor quote from Green Acres Farm (3718 North 700 E., Kokomo) that county staff…