Walla Walla County's effort to enforce a new ordinance restricting long-term camping on county roads has been postponed while the county waits for the state to add the new ordinance codes to its Sector citation system, Undersheriff Joe Klunt told the Board of County Commissioners on Monday.
The issue emerged after commissioners passed an ordinance that, under county rules, requires posting of signs and entry of offenses into district court and the state's computer system before deputies can issue computerized citations. Klunt said district court has completed its part; the remaining step is the state's Sector program.
"The deputies do not have the ability to write a ticket right now regarding our new ordinance," Klunt said during the meeting. He said the state process to add a new offense takes about two to three weeks and that the sheriff's office has notified the state it needs the code entered quickly.
Why it matters: Without the code in Sector deputies cannot issue electronic tickets tied to district court; officers cannot generate the paper or in-car tickets until the state adds the ordinance to the statewide system. That delay means county officials must rely on warnings and voluntary compliance for the moment.
What happened on the ground: Klunt said some vehicles and campers called out by neighbors were told to move; some relocated to a dead-end off Prentice Road and several were advised they could face tickets or impounds once the codes are active. Chief Schramm and the sheriff's office estimate towing for two motorhomes could cost about $4,000, and one vehicle appears abandoned and likely will be towed if the occupant does not return.
Commissioner concerns and next steps: Board members expressed frustration that residents were told enforcement would begin earlier. Commissioners and staff said they were not aware the Sector update was required and that the state's schedule created an unanticipated enforcement gap. Several commissioners urged the prosecutor's office and sheriff's staff to pursue a countywide ordinance or other longer-term approach so deputies will not need to add individual roads one by one.
"If we do a countywide ordinance, we'd still have to get it entered, which means we would have to go through what we're going through right now," Commissioner Clayton said. Other commissioners urged more transparent public messaging about administrative steps before enforcement.
Status and directions: The sheriff's office will begin formal ticketing as soon as the state enters the items into Sector and the codes are available for deputies in-car; in the interim deputies continue to advise occupants that tickets and impound actions are imminent. The board directed staff to discuss a countywide approach with the prosecutor's office and to consider budgeting for towing/removal costs in future years.