NFDL Passes New Social Hosting Ordinance

The Village of North Fond du Lac may be the first municipality in Fond du Lac County to adopt an ordinance under a new state law prohibiting social hosting of underage drinking parties. A Wisconsin Appellate Court in 2016 struck down the social hosting ordinance being used by municipalities and the County. State legislators fashioned a new law. North Fond du Lac Police Chief Darren Pautsch says the Village Board this week repealed their old ordinance and adopted this one in its place. The Appeals court in part felt the Fond du Lac County version was too punitive. Under the new law a first violation will cost $500 plus court costs. Pautsch says that first violation with court costs included will cost about $671. Other municipalities in the County that had their own social hosting ordinances are expected to follow suit.