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Council broadens fire-code penalty authority but keeps first-offense protections
Summary
Ordinance No. 2026-05-13 passed unanimously to expand the Fire Department's ability to assess fines for code violations beyond open burning; Chief Mark Baumgardner said the department would follow protocols and not fine first-time offenders without prior steps.
The Common Council voted 6-0 on June 1 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-05-13, which amends the municipal code to broaden the Fire Department's authority to assess fines and penalties for fire-code violations beyond the current focus on open burning. Fire Chief Mark Baumgardner told the Council the ordinance "would allow the local authority to implement the fines after protocol is followed" and emphasized that a first-time offender would not automatically receive a fine.
During discussion Member Laura Sauerman asked whether fines would be implemented automatically; Chief Baumgardner responded they would not and that standard departmental protocols would be followed before any penalty. The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll call vote. The amendment gives the department clearer enforcement tools while the record indicates an intent to preserve discretion and progressive enforcement practices.
