Committee levies special charges for code enforcement and approves bulk-trash special charges (project 25-005)

The Kenosha Finance Committee on Sept. 15 approved resolutions to levy special charges for multiple code-enforcement and cleanup items and approved a separate special-charge listing for bulk trash removal tied to project 25-005.

The committee approved amounts listed by staff: boarding and securing charges of $1,055.50; trash and debris removal of $17,071.53; property maintenance reinspection fees totaling $13,230; and building and zoning reinspection fees of $1,546. The committee voted to levy those charges after no members of the public asked to speak on the item.

On a related matter, Ryan Kader, director of public works, explained project 25-005 covers May and June bulk pickups where property owners or tenants did not follow the city’s ordinance or scheduling requirements and therefore did not pay for the collection. Kader said the department sends bills and gives property owners an opportunity to pay before a charge becomes a special charge, and that he did not have an exact count in the meeting of how many property owners had paid versus remained unpaid.

Members noted that some bulk pickups can be scheduled for no charge if residents follow the city’s procedures and that the standard paid option can be substantially cheaper than the special-charge amounts. The committee moved, seconded and approved the resolutions and the project 25-005 special-charge listing; both votes were carried without recorded opposition.

Staff will proceed with billing and the special-charge process per municipal procedures.