Storm Lake’s effort to strengthen enforcement on problem properties continued Monday, with the city council unanimously backing the first reading of higher municipal infraction penalties.
The vote followed a brief public hearing, where Building and Code Compliance Director Scott Olesen walked council members through the proposed changes and the reasons behind them, noting the proposal stems from two earlier work sessions. He said the city’s current fine structure — $75 for a first offense, $125 for a second and $200 for a third — no longer carries the deterrent it once did.
Under the proposal, those fines would jump to $500, $750 and $1,000 for first, second and third offenses — with each day of non‑compliance counting as a separate violation.
Olesen emphasized that the changes apply only to Storm Lake’s property maintenance and nuisance chapters — not to other types of municipal infractions. He also reiterated that citations remain a last resort.
He told council members the current penalties are so low that they’ve lost their effectiveness, and that the proposed increases would bring Storm Lake in line with other communities of similar size.
No one spoke during the public hearing — either in person or online — and the council moved directly into discussion on the first reading. Councilperson Don Piercy, Jr. asked Olesen how repeat offenses are tracked over time.
With no further questions, the council voted 5–0 to approve the first reading of the ordinance. It will return for a second reading on July 20, followed by a third reading on Aug. 3. If approved, the higher penalties would take effect after final approval and publication.
