Warden to tighten up dog, yard code enforcement

WARDEN — Warden city officials are going to tighten up code enforcement in the coming months.

According to Mayor Tony Massa, the city is going start enforcing city codes that require all dogs in the city limits to be licensed and require resident to keep their yards clear of large debris, like broken or abandoned appliances.

“Notices will be going out with water bills,” Massa said at the end of a city council meeting Tuesday. “Let’s clean up appliances in yards, things kids can get trapped in.”

“Let’s get this taken care of,” he added.

The city will also start identifying houses with dogs, Massa said, and eventually fining residents who do not get city dog licenses. According to City Administrator Kristine Shuler, dog licenses cost $12, $8 for dogs that have been spayed or neutered.

The fine for failing to register a dog is $78.50.

Council members also scheduled an interview for their next meeting on June 26 with an applicant interested in filling a council vacated when Michael Leavitt was resigned in April following his arrest for voyeurism.

The city is still accepting applications for the other open council seat, which came open following Kayla Kight’s resignation to go care for a friend in Arizona. Anyone interested in serving on the Warden City Council should contact Shuler at 509-349-2326 or kshuler@cityofwarden.org.