CHRISTIAN GRANTHAM, Post Contributor
Posted: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 12:01 am

The County Steering Committee passed an anti-litter resolution on to the full County Commission Monday that strengthens existing county litter laws.

The resolution fines newspaper and phone book companies for littering people's lawns and bans yard sale fliers left on doorsteps. The resolution sets forth civil penalties requiring a judgment on top of criminal penalties.

The resolution, presented by County Attorney Jim Cope at the request of Commissioner Ron Williams, was writen to address citizen complaints over litter in the county. The steering committee asked the County Attorney's office to review the language to address any freedom of speech issues.

"There are others issues that are in place, but in particular we were interested in the First Amendment issues," Commissioner John Rodgers told the Post. "We're trying to balance those issues with trashing up county."

The resolution places a $50 fine on several actions that are causing litter problems.

The resolution fines people who "intentionally release helium-filled balloons outdoors except for a scientific use." Teachers and classrooms are exempt, but grand openings, ball games and other outdoor events can no longer release balloons.

Small trash haulers, lawn care businesses and construction workers can be fined for anything that blows out of their vehicles.

Newspapers and phone books may continue to leave their wrapped products on residential lawns, but any items left after you tell them in writing to stop will cost them $50.

In cases of negligent property owners, fines will begin on the eleventh day after notification and apply each day until the litter is removed. If fines are not paid within 60 days a lien is placed on the property.

Fines will go to the general fund of the county where the offense occurred and applied to operating costs for litter prevention programs and educational efforts like Keep America Beautiful.

"It maybe years down the road before we collect," Commissioner Steve Sandlin said. "But ultimately we'll collect what we spent on getting it cleaned up."

The resolution also rewards residents who turn in people who trash Rutherford County. Residents with information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of a person for mitigated criminal littering will receive a reward of $50 and $250 for aggravated criminal littering.

The resolution goes before the full commission Aug. 12.