The Monroe County Council unanimously approved a $15,000 supplemental appropriation Tuesday to allow the Planning Department to hire contractors to remove debris and vehicles from two properties in the town of Stinesville that sit in the county floodway.

Planning Department Director Jackie Jelen said judges had issued orders permitting county contractors to remove junk and structures from the parcels after litigation. Jelen told the council the department had been asked to act because the town participates in a county interlocal agreement that extends county floodplain protections and because the properties’ contents could be swept into nearby waterways during high water and lodge under bridges.

Jelen said one judge’s order would not require demolition of a house on one parcel but would permit removal of outbuildings, campers and other material; the neighboring parcel could be cleaned entirely “as funds allowed.” She noted that the county participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, and DNR staff had indicated the county could risk probationary action under NFIP if it did not address known hazards in the floodway.

The department provided the council with cost estimates and said $15,000 may not cover every possible removal if heavy structures or repeat reappearances of debris occur, but the appropriation would let the county hire a contractor to begin remediation and to recover costs via liens where possible.

The appropriation was approved unanimously by roll-call vote. Jelen and planning commissioners asked the council to consider coordinated follow-up involving local social-service partners, the sheriff’s office and health staff to address long-term habitation and assistance for people living without water or sanitation on those parcels.

Councilors said they support remediation to protect waterways and to maintain the county’s floodplain program eligibility. The Planning Department said it would attempt to recoup remediation costs through court-ordered liens if property owners or others regain title.