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Bonney Lake council adopts ordinance adjusting garbage enforcement penalties
Summary
The City Council approved Ordinance D25‑03 on Jan. 28 to change enforcement for chapter 8.04.190 of the Bonney Lake Municipal Code. The update emphasizes voluntary compliance, adds graduated fines and retains options to assist low‑income residents; the measure passed with one recorded opposition.
The Bonney Lake City Council on Jan. 28 adopted Ordinance D25‑03 to amend enforcement provisions in chapter 8.04.190 of the Bonney Lake Municipal Code, changing how the city handles violations related to garbage and waste service.
The ordinance, described by staff as an update to encourage voluntary compliance, reduces the former single automatic penalty and replaces it with a graduated structure and additional opportunities for residents to remedy violations before fines escalate. "This is a step forward, and it's good for the citizens," Council Member McClimans said during discussion, praising staff drafting and the emphasis on voluntary compliance.
Council Member Fullerton described the revised schedule: warnings and voluntary compliance are prioritized, with the penalty progression beginning at $100 for an initial infraction, rising to $200 for a second violation and returning to $250 for subsequent violations; the code also includes provisions to work with residents who cannot afford compliance and may include assistance or scholarships. "It allows for people to have time and work with the code enforcement officers," Fullerton said.
Deputy Mayor Swatman and other council members underscored that the city does not proactively search out violations and that enforcement typically follows a citizen complaint or a separate code‑enforcement investigation. A staff representative, Public Works Director Jason Sullivan (referenced in discussion), said the city does not receive a routine monthly list from Murray's Disposal showing who does or does not have service and that enforcement commonly arises after related nuisance complaints.
The council called the question and voted to adopt Ordinance D25‑03; the transcript records one opposed vote. The council excused Council Member Baldwin earlier in the meeting. The ordinance's motion appears on the Jan. 28 agenda as AB 25‑03 and the item description notes the amendment provides for severability, corrections and establishes an effective date; the transcript does not record the specific effective date language beyond the ordinance title.
Council discussion stressed the policy goal of encouraging compliance and avoiding financial hardship for residents who are making efforts to resolve issues. No amendments were recorded during the Jan. 28 debate.
