The City of Knox is looking to step up fines for building violations. A new fine schedule will be up for the city council’s approval tonight.
The change was recommended by the city’s planning commission, according to commission president and council member Don Kring. “If somebody was in violation of an ordinance, there was no fee to really assess to it, and, basically, we added that,” Kring told the rest of the city council earlier this month.
Violations could include building structures that don’t conform to the zoning ordinance, failing to get a building permit, or failing to comply with the conditions of a variance. Residential properties found to be in violation would get an initial $100 fine, plus another $300 if the issue hasn’t been corrected and the fine hasn’t been paid within 30 days, and another $500 for every month after that. Fines at commercial properties would range from $100 to $300 per day, depending on how long it takes to correct the problems.
During the last city council meeting, council and planning commission member Jeff Berg felt the fines would help Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost. “It’s going to give Chief Kenny some teeth,” Berg said. “We spoke about that, Kenny and I, and he can appreciate, you know, more teeth. And the more teeth, the better, for goodness sake.”
The city council will consider the new enforcement and penalties ordinance tonight, along with an amendment to the city’s existing ordinances to incorporate the new fines into the current fee schedule. Tonight’s Knox City Council meeting starts at 7:00 at Knox City Hall.
