(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Many people move away from cities like Kenosha and into rural communities like Salem Lakes because they want more room, fewer restrictions, and the ability to enjoy their property. An RV parked near the house, a UTV, a four-wheeler, a dirt bike, farm equipment, trailers, or other items that may draw scrutiny in a city environment have long been part of rural living. That could soon change, however, if a sweeping change supported by members of the new liberal majority on the Salem Lakes Village Board moves forward.
At Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting, Village President Rita Bucur (D) signaled her desire to roll back major code enforcement reforms passed after the 2023 election — reforms that were created after hundreds of frustrated residents packed meetings month after month demanding change.
For years, including before the 2017 creation of the Village of Salem Lakes when the area consisted of separate towns, code enforcement was largely complaint-based. If a resident believed a neighbor was violating property maintenance rules, they were required to submit a complaint and identify themselves. Inspectors did not simply patrol neighborhoods looking for violations.
That changed under prior leadership, according to many residents and business owners, when aggressive enforcement led to widespread anger. Residents accused village inspectors of going rogue, issuing violation notices throughout the community and creating a culture where residents felt targeted by their own local government.
The frustration boiled over politically in 2023 when voters overwhelmingly rejected the direction of village leadership. Four incumbents were defeated overnight, ushering in a new board majority that promised reform and a different approach to local government.
(Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The newly elected board later passed sweeping code enforcement changes that reined in the authority of inspectors. The reforms moved Salem Lakes back toward a complaint-driven model, requiring accountability from those filing complaints and placing limits on inspectors proactively searching for violations.
The changes gained widespread support from residents and business owners who argued that government employees should not be driving around rural neighborhoods looking for reasons to cite taxpayers.
Now, just a few years later, those reforms may be on the chopping block.
Bucur told trustees she wanted to revisit the village’s code enforcement policies, opening the door to a return to active enforcement. Under active enforcement, village inspectors could drive throughout Salem Lakes, identify potential violations themselves, and initiate enforcement action without a resident complaint.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Trustees Amanda Procknow (D) and Dennis Faber (D) quickly signaled support for the sweeping change. Both trustees are part of the board’s new liberal majority. Trustee Angela Brooks (D), also part of the liberal majority, was absent from the meeting.
Trustee Bill Barhyte and Trustee Peter Poli strongly opposed rolling back the reforms, arguing against returning to the type of enforcement that caused so much controversy in the past. Trustee James Woodke (D) made remarks during the discussion but did not clearly indicate whether he supported or opposed the proposal.
The discussion also raised possible legal questions. During the meeting, Bucur asked trustees to contact her privately about the proposal. Critics argue that request could create concerns under Wisconsin’s open meetings law, which prohibits government bodies from using a series of private communications to reach agreements or develop collective positions outside public view — a practice often referred to as a “walking quorum.”
No formal vote was taken Tuesday night, but the discussion signaled a major shift in direction for Salem Lakes.
For residents who celebrated the 2023 election as a turning point away from aggressive government enforcement, the latest proposal could reopen one of the most contentious issues in the village’s short history.
Salem Lakes Village Board Contact Information:
Village President Rita Bucur
[email protected]
Trustee Bill Barhyte
[email protected]
Trustee Peter Poli
[email protected]
Trustee Amanda Procknow
[email protected]
Trustee Dennis Faber
[email protected]
Trustee James Woodke
[email protected]
Trustee Angela Brooks
[email protected]
