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Supervisors add penalties for violating new burn ban ordinance
Henry County Supervisors add FEMA recovery costs to potential penalties for not following the new burn ban ordinance
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors has approved the third and final reading of a key amendment to the county’s Standard Penalty Ordinance — an update passed just one week after the county adopted its new open burn ordinance — giving the measure enforcement power.
The open burn ordinance, adopted on July 24, was fast-tracked with the second and third readings waived so it could take effect immediately. It prohibits nearly all open burning when the State Fire Marshal issues a burn ban, with limited exceptions such as contained cooking fires, essential agricultural burns, or heating fires that are properly attended.
Supervisor Marc Lindeen said at the time of its passage that “in short, if there is a burn ban put on, you’ll have no open burning in the county except by certain exceptions.”
The Standard Penalty amendment ensures that ordinance has “teeth” by adding language that allows the county to fine violators and recover the costs of emergency responses — particularly fire calls — based on FEMA reimbursement rates. Those provisions allow the county to seek restitution in court for personnel and equipment dispatched to illegal burns.
“This has undergone some major changes,” Lindeen said of the penalty update, noting that much of the work happened during the first and second readings. “We’ve gone through this twice already.”
Supervisor Steve Detrick moved to approve the amendment, with Supervisor Chad White seconding.
“I think it’ll be pretty clear,” Detrick said, explaining the lack of further discussion reflected earlier detailed reviews.
Emergency Management Coordinator Walt Jackson had previously told supervisors that volunteer fire departments were being stretched thin responding to unreported controlled burns, and without a penalty and cost-recovery mechanism, the county had little recourse to deter repeat violations.
Lindeen emphasized that the ordinance and its penalty structure are about prevention, not punishment:
“It’s about public safety and protecting property,” he said.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
