County committee approves ordinance re-vamp
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Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Writer
TAYLORVILLE — The Executive, Personnel, Liquor and Legislative Committee of the Christian County Board met on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Christian County Courthouse. Discussions included proposals of a Nuisance Ordinance and text amendments. One committee member, David Puccetti, was absent.
The main topic of discussion was the Nuisance Ordinance which had been developed by Solid Waste Director Shawn Hammers and Christian County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Barry. The ordinance adds language to what is already Solid Waste code. The purpose of the additional verbiage to ensure safety pre-condemnation before properties become extreme health risks to the residents and the surrounding area.
“We added a couple pieces regarding hazardous waste and the proper maintenance of that,” Hammers explained. “Our primary goal is education. Going out to properties, giving them the benefit of the doubt so that we are not issuing $500 tickets for stuff in the yard they might not necessarily know they weren’t supposed to have.”
Committee member Clayton Walters questioned what he meant by things not supposed to be in the yard?
“Often, for a lot of open dumps or open barrels we come in contact with, lets say somebody has a burn pile in the back yard that they’ve got tires they have been burning. They’ve got computers. At that specific pile you would have illegal burning of tires, household hazardous waste being improperly disposed of, contaminating the ground, open burning of electronics which is going to lead to hazardous waste which then has to be properly disposed of by the landfill and other act violations,” Hammers said. “Usually, we can interact with folks, identify the problem and make sure they understand what they need to do.”
The last time this specific ordinance was updated was 1998 so changes are necessary, it was stated.
A motion to approve the changes passed unanimously. It will now be sent to the Highway, Buildings, Grounds, Environmental, Zoning and Welfare Committee for their review.
In another matter, Christian County Circuit Clerk Julie Mayer requested additional information regarding the update to Chief Deputy salary and raise. The matter for clean up language was brought up in committee earlier this year. The committee agreed on an update to the Chief Deputy salary, raise.
“We weren’t following our own policies,” County Board Chairman Bryan Sharp said. “The new language clarifies that, on your anniversary, that’s when that pay raise will occur. There have just been inconsistencies with how this has been implemented.”
Mayer acknowledged she understood the change and agreed with the update.
The motion for adjournment came at 7:05 p.m.
