Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Olmsted County Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday afternoon on some proposed changes to the County’s Solid Waste Ordinance that would apply administrative fines to violations of provisions of the ordinance.

The current law states violations are considered misdemeanor offenses punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and/or up to 90 days in jail, but those penalties are rarely applied. The proposed changes create an appeals process and establishes a schedule of fines ranging from $50 dollars for putting out your garbage cans too early or leaving them out too long (the law allows trash containers to put out for collection the evening before collection day), $50 dollars for mixing yard waste or recyclables with regular trash, and up to $1000 dollars per day for certain violations committed by waste haulers. The proposal also gives hearing officers authority to imposed higher fines for repeat offenders or in especially egregious cases. If approved, the changes would take effect next year. The meeting begins at 3 p.m.

The County Board will also be holding a special ceremony to honor and recognize the contributions of longtime County Administrator Richard Devlin. He earlier announced his intentions to retire at the end of October after a nearly 50 year career with Olmsted County. Devlin was hired in 1968 as the Administrator of the Public Health Services Department and promoted to the County Administrator’s position five years later.

 

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