Clinton County to seek bids to abate condemned property at 2203 S. County Road 1300 E after owner fails to resolve issues

The Clinton County Board of Commissioners voted June 16 to proceed with calling for bids to abate or remove a condemned property at 2203 S. County Road 1300 East after staff said the owner had not produced a solution and earlier outreach (including an attorney) produced no recorded easement.

Staff told the board the property lacks a required perimeter drain outlet and that prior approvals (lot‑size variance and minor subdivision) would need to be revisited even if physical fixes were attempted. Because the matter has been on the county’s books for several years, commissioners said a further delay was unlikely to produce a resolution and moved to post for bids to address the property; the motion passed 3‑0.

Neighbor testimony: at the public microphone, adjoining property owner Jack Stowers described ongoing hazards and debris, including missing shingles strewn across a field, a broken glass door that caused an injury to his granddaughter, a deteriorating mobile home with a sagging foundation, and unkempt grounds. Stowers said the owner would not mow and that attempts to obtain an easement had stalled; he said demolition may be the only viable remedy.

An additional neighbor, Ryan Campbell, said he had discussed an easement for $2,000 months earlier but that stipulations were expected (no work during planting season and responsibility for damages).

What happens next: staff will post a bid request to remove or otherwise abate the unsafe structure and return with costs and recommended next steps. Commissioners approved the action to call for bids by a 3‑0 vote.

No timeline for demolition was provided on the record; staff said the property owner, Trent Newton, had been notified and expected to attend the next meeting but had not yet produced a remedy.