The Washington City Council amended an ordinance regarding the nuisance abatement process at their most recent meeting. 

As part of the re-alignment of codes enforcement duties to the Police Department, Washington Police Chief, Jim Lester proposed some ordinance changes to Chapters 4 and 50-53. “Chapter four deals with the municipal infractions and it actually just sets scheduled fines rather than the person going to court and having the judge determine if the fine’s anywhere from $65 to $750. We are proposing that we set the first offense at $125, the second offense at $250, and the third and subsequent offences at $500. That’s the changes in chapter four.” The changes to chapters 50-53 can be found on the City website. 

These changes will help streamline the nuisance abatement process. The nuisance committee has reviewed and agrees with the changes. The first reading was approved at the May 20th Council meeting and a public hearing was set for June 3rd. The Council unanimously approved the second reading and waived the third reading.