City struggles with property owners

WORLAND — Worland City Attorney Kent Richins reported to the city council last Tuesday, Nov. 17, that fining residences for having unkempt properties does not seem to be inspiring them to get the properties cleaned up.

He said residents in the 1400 block of Coburn were cited for their property and recently appeared in court.

“We were successful again with the judge finding that the property is a public nuisance. He said they were issued a fine of $750 with $250 suspended on condition that they get it cleaned up.

“The most might I have is fining; in this particular situation they don’t seem to want to clean it up,” Richins said.

Owners for another property on the 600th block of South Fifth, which Wanda and Dennis Richard have come to the council about, is also in the process of being taken to court.

He said the owners are alleging the county is out of line and have pleaded not guilty and are seeking a trial.

At this time, he said, the Wyoming Supreme Court, which began having trials on a limited basis in August, again suspended all jury trials for district and circuit courts.

Richins said Municipal Judge Marci Argeris had agreed that the city also should not be holding court at a time when COVID-19 cases are spiking.

Utlimately, Richins said, “We’re trying to get these properties cleaned up but so far unsuccessfully.”