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Residents urge action on unsafe properties; commissioners point to complaint processes
Summary
During public comment residents pressed the board to act on alleged unsafe properties and asked whether a signed complaint is required before the county can investigate; county staff said complainants should start with the health department and that due-process rules and Indiana unsafe-building law govern enforcement steps.
Multiple residents used the June 3 public-comment period to press the commissioners for faster action on alleged code and health violations at private properties. One resident asked whether commissioners can act without an in-person signed complaint, saying the county repeatedly asks "has anyone really filed a complaint?" and arguing that known unsafe conditions affecting children and elderly neighbors demand action.
Staff explained that while commissioners and staff are sensitive to public-health and safety concerns, the county generally follows a complaint-driven process, and many property problems are handled first by the county health department or area-plan commission (APC). Staff also said due-process requirements and Indiana’s unsafe-building law establish a statutory process that the county must follow before seeking court action.
Why it matters: Residents described health and habitability concerns (campers without septic, overgrown lots, possible salvage operations) and want visible enforcement; staff said a forthcoming workshop and a proposed code-enforcement position could centralize complaint intake and fee collection to make enforcement more actionable.
What’s next: Staff will continue working with complainants and health officials and pursue unsafe-building processes where appropriate; commissioners asked staff to present code-enforcement options at an upcoming workshop.
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