Nowthen council sets fee for excessive law‑enforcement responses at $70

The Nowthen City Council on June 10 voted to adopt an ordinance enabling the city to certify law‑enforcement response costs to landlords or property owners who are determined to be propagating a nuisance, setting the initial fee at $70 per hour.

City attorney Mark told council members the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office had calculated an average response cost of $69.76 per hour and recommended using that figure as the base rate. He also noted that Minnesota Statute 504B.205, subdivision 3, prevents certification of costs for domestic incidents and mental‑health or medical emergencies. "I would propose drafting the ordinance to set the price at $69.76 for this year," he said during the briefing, noting the figure could be updated in coordination with the sheriff.

Councilmembers debated rounding the number for clarity. Councilmember Glazer proposed setting the fee at $70 and the council approved the rounded figure by voice vote.

Under the ordinance the council retains case‑by‑case discretion and an appeals process: medical, mental‑health and domestic incidents are excluded from assessment, and the city must evaluate whether a property owner failed to abate nuisances before certifying costs. The ordinance will be codified and published under the city code (ordinance 25‑2025‑04).

Mayor and council members said the intent of the fee is cost recovery, not to deter legitimate calls for help. The attorney noted the fee is intended to recuperate response costs and not to dissuade calls to law enforcement.

The council’s action establishes the initial fee structure; staff and the city attorney will finalize ordinance language and post it on the city website.