Supervisors hear pushback on open burning ordinance

MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing Thursday, May 29, on a proposed ordinance regulating open burning in unincorporated areas. The measure, aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency fire department responses during high-risk conditions, drew support as well as calls for greater transparency and public input before a final vote.

The ordinance would require residents to notify the Henry County Dispatch Center before conducting brush pile burns, controlled burns, or structure fires. Burn barrels must be fitted with a spark-arresting screen, and fire chiefs would be authorized to issue burn permits during state-issued burn bans.

A central goal of the ordinance is to prevent fire departments from being dispatched to controlled burns, conserving resources for true emergencies.

Concerns raised during the hearing included unclear language, limited access to the ordinance prior to the meeting, and questions about financial penalties. The ordinance allows for civil fines up to $850 for a first offense and $1,000 per day for subsequent violations. It also includes provisions for recovering fire department response costs based on FEMA reimbursement rates, subject to court approval.

Melanie Patton, a resident in attendance, said she had difficulty accessing the draft and called for more time and transparency. “It would be really nice to be able to read it, because I can't really comment on something that I can't really read,” Patton said. She added, “In the interest of transparency and letting people have input into the actual wording,” another public hearing should be considered.

Supervisor Marc Lindeen referenced the board’s initial discussion of the ordinance on April 3. “Most everybody said, why don't we just pass it today? In my mind, it was a done deal … because of the incidences that have happened with our fire departments being called out for stupidity,” Lindeen said. “I can say in my mind, we’re as transparent as can be, because we have been discussing this … we are following all the legal channels that we had to do.”

Though the idea of another hearing was discussed, no decision was made to schedule one. Several residents urged the board to delay further action until the public has more opportunity to review the full ordinance.

The draft includes exemptions for recreational fires, grills, outdoor fireplaces, and properly outfitted burn barrels. Officials said the language was developed with input from local fire departments, the sheriff’s office, and the county attorney.

“This is a compilation of all the fire chiefs in the area … the sheriff, county attorney’s office have all blessed off all this,” said Emergency Management Director Walt Jackson.

The ordinance now moves into the reading phase, where revisions can still be made. Residents are encouraged to review the draft through the Henry County Auditor’s Office and provide feedback.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com