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Buffalo County Finance Committee approves ordinance to target repeat public nuisance properties
Summary
The Finance Committee approved an ordinance enabling remediation plans, fines up to $1,000 per violation, and potential forfeiture for repeat nuisance properties after the sheriff reported one address generated about 100 calls in a year.
The Buffalo County Finance Committee voted March 19 to adopt an ordinance aimed at addressing repeat public nuisance properties, following testimony from Sheriff Mike Osmond about a single location that generated "approximately 100 calls received by the Sheriff's Office in one year." The ordinance formalizes a process of notifying owners, developing remediation plans, and—if problems continue—levying fines and pursuing forfeiture.
Sheriff Osmond told the committee the measure is intended to give law enforcement and county staff a tool to address locations that generate frequent calls while emphasizing the county's preference to work with property owners and landlords. The maximum fine in the draft ordinance was increased to $1,000 per violation by the Law Enforcement/Emergency Management committee; court costs are not included and each day a violation continues would count as a separate offense. Mr. Steve Nelson moved to approve the ordinance; Mr. William Bruegger seconded the motion, which 'Carried.'
The ordinance decision was procedural and did not create an immediate prosecution. Committee members asked questions about enforcement steps and the sheriff confirmed the county's approach will first seek remediation plans with property owners before escalating to fines or forfeiture. The action completes the committee's consideration of the proposed Public Nuisance Properties Ordinance and sends it forward as approved at the committee level.
