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Clinton County sets fines, deadlines in multiple property-enforcement cases
Summary
At its June 17 meeting the Clinton County Board of Commissioners approved a $250 fine on one nuisance property, set an August 19 deadline for a separate septic plan, and asked staff to require timelines from a property owner seeking waiver of a $2,500 enforcement fee; the county also posted a 30-day safety notice for a hazardous electrical meter.
Clinton County commissioners on June 17 approved a $250 fine for a property found in recurring violation of county maintenance rules, gave the owner of a separate dilapidated house until Aug. 19 to produce a septic plan and soil borings, and directed staff to press an attorney to supply a firm timeline for resolving contamination-related fines at 3175 S. State Road 39.
The actions were tied to three separate enforcement tracks that county staff presented as continuing compliance and public-safety issues. Commissioners voted 3-0 to impose the $250 fine after hearing that the property had been mowed only once and that other safety hazards remain. The tally was announced without a named mover or seconder in the record.
County planning staff told the board an owner at 8938 East Hill Street acknowledged financial difficulties but affirmed he was trying to arrange contractors; commissioners agreed to give him until the board’s next meeting on Aug. 19 to secure soil borings and a septic plan through the Board of Health, citing the long history of unresolved violations. "We need something to show us you're doing something other than just telling us you'll make progress," a commissioner said during the discussion.
At the meeting staff also reported an attorney contacted the county asking that the most recent fine of $2,500 for a property on State Road 39 be waived while the owner pursues soil sampling and work with the health department. County staff and commissioners declined to waive additional fees without a firm, written timeline and recommended the attorney provide a concrete schedule by the next commissioners' meeting.
Separately, area-plan staff reported a safety notice and photographs they had posted after Frankfort Power & Light flagged repeated meter-base malfunctions. Staff said the public-safety notice gives the owner until about July 11—30 days from the notice date—to correct the unsafe meter base. If the owner does not act, staff will return to the commissioners with options.
The board recorded these items as regulatory enforcement, not new policy: commissioners directed staff to return with firm timelines or remediation plans for each property rather than taking immediate demolition or condemnation steps.
Less-critical housekeeping actions tied to property enforcement—such as rolling fines that accrue biweekly—were discussed but not materially altered at the meeting. Staff and commissioners noted some cases may require interagency approvals (e.g., recorded easements or Board of Health permits) before work can proceed.
The board asked staff to report back at upcoming meetings on progress, and set August 19 as the firm review date for the 8938 East Hill Street case.
