§ 32-6. Administration and enforcement.

(a)

The provisions of this ordinance shall be administered by the county's fair housing officer, hereinafter referred to as the "officer" who shall be appointed by the County Executive. Administration shall include: 1) dissemination of information and other proper means to educate county residents to a greater understanding, appreciation, and practice of the basic right for all people to live in decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, 2) making available forms for filing complaints with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division, for the enforcement of Section 106.50, Wisconsin Statutes, as amended from time to time, and 3) investigating complaints of discrimination filed with the hearing officer and attempts to resolve the matter as follows:

(1)

Any person aggrieved by a practice prohibited by this chapter may file a complaint with the officer within 300 days from the date the alleged discrimination occurred.

(2)

A complaint shall be a written statement of the essential facts constituting the discrimination charged and shall be signed by the complainant.

(3)

Within 30 days after a complaint is filed with the officer, the officer shall serve written notice on the complainant acknowledging the filing of the complaint and advising the complainant of the time limits, choice of forums, and the right to bring a private civil action.

(4)

Within 30 days after a complaint is filed with the officer, the officer shall serve a copy of the complaint upon the respondent, including a written statement directing the respondent to respond in writing to the allegations in the complaint within 30 days after the date of the notice and stating that, if the respondent fails to answer the complaint in writing, an initial determination will be made as to whether discrimination has occurred based only on the officer's investigation and the information supplied by the complainant.

(5)

The officer shall investigate the allegations of the complaint and complete the investigation not later than 60 days after receipt of the complaint. If the investigation cannot be completed within 60 days, the complainant and respondent shall be notified in writing of the reasons.

(6)

If the officer finds there is probable cause to believe that discrimination has been or is being committed in violation of this chapter, the officer may endeavor to eliminate such discrimination by conference, conciliation, and persuasion.

(b)

Failure to achieve a resolution acceptable to both parties in compliance with this chapter shall be cause to refer the complaint to the county corporation counsel for prosecution.

(1)

The corporation counsel may commence a forfeiture action in the circuit court of Fond du Lac County for the enforcement of this chapter and penalty provided.

(2)

The corporation counsel may also seek appropriate temporary relief against the respondent, including an application for temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order against the person or persons responsible for the denial of the rights granted by this chapter as the corporation counsel deems necessary in order to ensure the full enjoyment of these rights. The court may grant such temporary relief or restraining order as it deems just and proper.

(3)

The officer or the corporation counsel may dismiss the complaint if the complainant fails to respond within 20 days from the date of mailing of any correspondence concerning the complaint to the last known address of the complainant.

(Res. of 8-19-08)