Board authorizes stronger enforcement steps after health department finds sewage and debris at Chisholm Trail RV Park

Lake County staff and the Department of Health told the Board on July 14 that inspections at Chisholm Trail RV Park in Altoona found multiple unsecured wastewater connections discharging black and gray water onto the ground, blocked emergency access, excessive garbage and rodent‑harboring conditions, and an expired operating permit. The county's code enforcement case dates to November 2024; a special magistrate ordered removal of junk and inoperable vehicles and the county's lien has accrued to more than $43,000.

Code and health officials presented three options: (1) a county‑assisted cleanup under a compliance agreement (roll‑off/grapple removal paid by owner under contract), (2) seek injunctive relief in court to require cleanup or allow county contractors to perform cleanup and recover costs, or (3) foreclose on liens and take ownership to remediate and pursue reuse. Public speakers who own nearby property described repeated septic overspill onto adjacent land and asked the county to take immediate action. The park owner said he has tried to remedy conditions, said many items were dumped by third parties and asked for a 90‑day compliance agreement if the county would assist; staff noted the health department could not inspect septic fields until debris and vegetation were cleared.

After extensive public testimony, the board voted to pursue enforcement steps and directed staff to proceed with the range of legal remedies and cleanup options, including moving forward with actions that could lead to foreclosure if compliance is not achieved. Staff estimated a county‑assisted debris removal would likely cost more than the initial $10,000 estimate once inoperable vehicles and hazardous materials are accounted for, and that injunctive relief cleanup could exceed $50,000; foreclosure proceedings would follow existing in‑house processes.