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Commissioners give Kitten Brock property two weeks, propose $800 fine if noncompliant
Summary
After months of complaints about accumulated wood, metal containers and possible fire and pest hazards at the Kitten Brock property, commissioners continued the case for two weeks, directed an on-site meeting and signaled an $800 fine if the property is not brought into compliance.
The Dubois County Board of Commissioners continued a long-running trash-enforcement case involving the Kitten Brock property and set a two-week deadline for the owner to make further progress.
Chair opened the hearing by saying the county had received multiple complaints and mailed a notice of violation more than a year earlier. Carla Strickland, director of the county solid-waste district, told the board staff drove by and photographed the site and found the driveway and front yard “probably neater than I have seen it,” but warned much material might have been shifted out of public view into the rear of the property (Carla Strickland). The chair noted the county ordinance allows fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
Owner Lance told the board he had been cleaning and had placed some items inside a shed and in a container for his own use, saying, “I’m just trying to get rid of everything.” He added he was not buying new wood or metal and described the container as for his own pickup and storage (Lance).
Commissioners pressed on whether the quantities of wood, metal containers and other recyclables exceeded personal use and whether materials were being stored out of sight. Commissioner Stefanovic, who had driven the property and presented photos, said he saw improvement but still “a lot of items” and urged a deadline.
The chair proposed documenting the case with a fine of $800 and continued the hearing for two weeks, directing Commissioner Stefanovic to meet the owner on-site to spell out specific remedial steps; the board said county resources would be used to abate the violation if the owner failed to comply. The board set the next check-in for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 17 and said neighbors could refile complaints if the condition backslid.
Why it matters: The decision balances neighbor complaints about health, fire and pest risk with the owner’s stated need to keep wood for home heating. The board’s approach leaves procedural leeway for enforcement while giving the owner additional time to clean up.
What’s next: Commissioner Stefanovic will meet the owner within a week to outline compliance expectations; the board will reconsider the case on Aug. 17 and may impose the fine or use county resources if violations persist.
