A crackdown on chronic nuisance properties in Storm Lake is now officially on the books — with tougher fines set to take effect after the city council signed off Monday night.
The Storm Lake City Council unanimously approved the third and final reading of an ordinance raising municipal infraction penalties tied to property maintenance and nuisance violations. Building and Code Compliance Director Scott Olesen reminded council members that Storm Lake’s old fines — $75, $125 and $200 — simply weren’t doing the job anymore.
During Monday’s meeting, Olesen reiterated how the new structure compares to other cities and why the change was needed.
He said the increases follow a review of regional communities and are designed to restore the deterrent effect that Storm Lake’s enforcement program has lost over time.
Mayor Meg McKeon noted that the proposal has already been through two work sessions and two public readings, with opportunities for comment at each stage. The city also received one written letter ahead of Monday’s vote.
The higher fines apply only to Storm Lake’s nuisance and property maintenance chapters — not to other types of municipal infractions — and citations will continue to be used only when property owners refuse to communicate or repeatedly ignore notices.
The ordinance now heads for publication, after which the new penalties will officially take effect.
