The Marshall County Planning Commission voted to accept a contractor bid of $19,740 to clear trash, debris and inoperable vehicles from a property tied to enforcement case ZB-103762, listed to owner Deborah Marsh.

Philip Smith, Marshall County planning technician and code enforcement officer, reviewed the enforcement history: an original violation was filed in or around April 2016; multiple notices and extension opportunities were issued; a complaint including junk, trash and livestock violations was logged in August 2023; and court hearings (including one on Oct. 14, 2024) proceeded with the defendants not appearing. At one hearing the court granted 90 days for compliance; a later hearing in February resulted in a court order for bids to clean the property after non-appearance by the defendants.

Smith presented a single cleanup bid from a contractor identified in the record as “Chain of Lights on Queen Road in Plymouth.” The bid described use of mini-excavators, skid steers, dumpsters for debris and concrete, trucking and hauling fees, loading inoperable vehicles and equipment, and labor hours. The total listed price was $19,740.

Commission members questioned the legal mechanics for removing vehicles without titles and whether the court order specifically addressed titles or salvage disposition. Smith and other staff said they were not privy to title information but had the court order (Superior Court 1, Judge Tammy Napier) and advised the commission to ensure the court’s process for vehicle disposition was followed. Members noted that if vehicles are scrap, different procedures may apply, but scrap yards may still require a title.

The commission moved to accept the single bid and directed staff to proceed with cleanup under the court order; the cost will be placed as a lien on the property if the county cannot collect otherwise. On roll call the commission recorded yes votes from multiple members and the motion passed.

Ending: Staff will coordinate cleanup per the bid and court order, ensure court-ordered processes for vehicle titles/disposition are followed, and record a lien on the property if the county does not recover the cleanup cost.