Commissioners agree to put revised county camping ordinance on consent; limits municipal enforcement to Fayetteville police

County attorneys presented amendments to the county ordinance that prohibits camping on county property to allow municipal police to assist with enforcement on county‑owned sites inside city limits.

"The ordinance prohibits camping on county property and provides a process for notice of trespass, removal time and county cleanup if personal property remains," County Attorney Rick Morfield told commissioners. The amendment would allow the Fayetteville Police Department to issue notices of trespass on county property within city limits and maintain law enforcement presence while county staff remove personal property, mirroring an enforcement process the sheriff used in 2022.

Morfield said the language previously included other municipalities; commissioners asked that those broader references be struck and limited to the City of Fayetteville. Several commissioners supported retaining sheriff primary responsibility while allowing the city to assist when requested; others stressed the approach is complaint‑driven rather than a standing patrol assignment.

The board voted unanimously to place the updated ordinance (with language stripping other municipalities) on the Jan. 20 consent agenda. County management said site security and preventive measures remain a separate operational item staff will address alongside enforcement authority, and staff will clarify how notice and cleanup will be coordinated with library and facility managers.

The county emphasized the measure targets camping and associated public‑nuisance conditions (trash, human waste) while ensuring on‑site staff safety during property removal operations.