KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The United Government of Wyandotte County is pushing to increase penalties for repeat code violators, in an effort to tackle blight.
On Monday a commission committee unanimously passed the proposal, which would set penalties up to $1,500.
"Our community is pushing to improve its appearance and safety and in doing so, we have to go after those folks who continue to ignore us and are habitual violators," said Melissa Sieben, assistant County Administrator for the Unified Government.
Right now, the maximum fine a habitual code violator faces is $500.
The proposal would increase the range of penalties for violations within a 24-month-period:
1 violation- $100
2 violations- $250
3 violations- $500
4 violations- $750
5 violations- $1,000
6 violations or subsequent- $1,500
"If you come in and say I need a few more weeks on this, we are going to work with you. We always have but we want to get to those folks that ignore us and don't take us seriously," said Sieben.
The full commission is scheduled to vote on the proposal later this month.
