COLUMBUS, Ind – Increasing fines was once again was the main topic of conversation at Monday’s Bartholomew County Commissioners meeting. It was the official first reading of an ordinance that would increase the fine from $150 to $500 for drivers who violated “road closed, high water” signs. The idea behind the presented ordinance is that increasing the fine would result in less people attempting to drive through high water which would result in less flood related accidents.
After a long discussion, and public hearing, Commissioners Larry Kleinhenz and Rick Flohr decided to vote against the ordinance. Commissioner Carl Lienhoop was out of town and unable to make it to the meeting. Regardless, the ultimate conclusion voiced by the commissioners is that they would like to find other ways to stop people from ignoring road closure signs without increasing fines for violators.