Edmore council adopts blight-elimination ordinance, enters enforcement agreement with Montcalm County

EDMORE, Mich. — The Edmore Village Council on July 13 adopted a blight-elimination ordinance and approved an enforcement agreement with Montcalm County that the village says allows it to enforce locally first and refer cases to the county if cooperation is lacking.

Village Manager Cory Hamlin told the council he consulted the Montcalm County Prosecutor’s Office and that the village may remove a repealer from the county’s draft so the two ordinances will work together. Under the agreement, the village may begin enforcement on its own and refer violations to the county for action; the agreement may be canceled on seven days’ notice and carries no cost to the village, Hamlin said.

Council member McParland moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-2 for the Village of Edmore and to enter into the enforcement agreement with Montcalm County. Council member Moore supported the motion. A roll-call vote recorded yes from Colburn, Griswold, McParland, Moore, Pierce and President Chet Guild. The motion passed 6-0 with one member absent.

The ordinance establishes the village’s path to address property blight locally while preserving a county referral option if local enforcement is not effective, according to Hamlin. The council did not discuss implementation timelines or staffing changes at the meeting.

The ordinance was introduced and adopted during the council’s regular meeting on July 13. The village manager will proceed with the agreement paperwork as authorized by the council.