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Crawford County signs resolution to authorize nuisance abatement under Senate Bill 384
Summary
The commission approved Resolution 2025-1-018 after Zoning Administrator Mae Smith said a property found guilty in Crawford County codes court has not complied; the resolution allows staff to enter the property under Senate Bill 384 if the owner does not request a hearing within 20 days.
Mae Smith, Crawford County zoning administrator and nuisance officer, told the commission that a property found guilty in Crawford County codes court has not complied with court orders and that state law now allows the county to abate the nuisance by entering the property.
"As you guys know, last year, we were able to pass and get added to Senate Bill 384, which allows for Riley and Crawford Counties to abate nuisances by going on the property," Mae Smith said, adding that she performed an inspection "yesterday" and submitted photos — "3 for the front yard and 3 for the backyard." She said her filing was made "in the clerk's office yesterday as per Senate Bill 384."
Smith told commissioners that the property owner may request a hearing. "If they request a hearing in the next 20 days, that hearing will be held with you gentlemen," she said. Smith said if the owner does not request a hearing and does not remedy the condition by May 19, county crews will proceed to abate the nuisance and the county will recover costs: "We'll go on the property, then it sits for 60 days. They have the opportunity to pay before it goes on their tax bill for 60 days." She added that abatement costs will include county manpower, machinery and requested deputy time from the sheriff's office.
A commissioner asked whether the county would charge for each tire on the property; Commissioner 2 asked, "Just asking because I've seen a lot of tires there. Or if we go in, we're gonna charge her every tire we pick up." Smith replied that charges would cover "every tire we pick up, every piece of trash, debris, every discarded, abandoned appliance, furniture" and that deputy time would be included.
After discussion the commission moved, seconded and approved Resolution 2025-1-018, and the chairman was authorized to sign and have the resolution hand-delivered as required under the statute. Smith said she had copies to distribute and expected county staff to organize the abatement work and coordinate deputy coverage.
The resolution implements procedures enabled by Senate Bill 384 and does not itself create a new penalty: it authorizes administrative abatement steps Smith described. Smith also said the county would return to the commission to place unrecovered costs on the property tax roll if the owner does not pay following the 60-day period.
