Franklin County will hold a public hearing in the next few weeks to
possibly amend its comprehensive litter ordinance.
The County
approved the litter ordinance in 1997 as part its efforts to fight illegal
dumping and other pollution around the county.
The ordinance
sets penalties for people found dumping trash on public or private property in
the county, as well as in local waterways.
It has a
clause which says that if three or more items in an illegal dump can be traced
back to one person, that person becomes liable for cleaning up the trash.
Punishment
under the county’s litter law depends on the seriousness of the offense.
Minor
littering violations can lead to a 50 dollar fine as well as public service
hours.
Major offenses
can be punished as a misdemeanor or a third degree felony.
Now, however,
the county is considering updating some of the penalties in the rule so that
homeowners who are cited are not immediately facing a criminal charge for
littering.
County
attorney Michael Shuler said he feels the penalties on the larger offenses should
include some meaningful steps of civil penalties before they become criminal charges.
The board will
consider the issue at an upcoming commission meeting.
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