By DAVE SCHULTZ
Building Commissioner Richard Triplett has been busy leading the city’s charge against junk accumulation, and on Tuesday night he received some help in that fight.
The council put a junk ordinance on the city’s books in early 2021, but Triplett — who took over leadership of the Building Department three months ago — has had a problem putting the finishing touches on his citations. To put it simply, the ordinance had more bark than bite.
“It says we have the ability to fine (offenders), but it doesn’t say what that fine is,” Triplett told members of the Bluffton Common Council Tuesday evening.
He brought his request for an ordinance change that would put more teeth into the ordinance. It kicked off a wide-ranging discussion.
Triplett looked into enforcement measures for nearby municipalities and county governments, finding that Allen and Whitley counties fine offenders $100 a day. The council was not enthusiastic about taking that kind of measure.
Instead, the discussion settled on $25 a day.
A citation from Triplett carries a 14-day window for remediation. Under the new rules proposed Tuesday night, the fine will begin after that 14-day window closes.
Triplett’s department will review the status of the violation weekly. When the property owner feels the violation has been taken care of, he or she will contact the Building Department and an inspection will be made. If the junk has been cleaned up, the clock will stop on the fine.
All five council members — Josh Hunt, Roger Thornton, Rick Elwell, Scott Mentzer, and Janella Stronczyk — approved the imposition of the fines.
Mayor John Whicker made the battle against junk a centerpiece of the early days of his administration after taking office Jan. 1, 2020. He was pleased with Tuesday night’s action.
“Bluffton needs to remain the Parlor City,” he said.
daves@news-banner.com
