DeKALB – Aldermanic candidates agreed with the DeKalb Area Rental Association that the city overreached on the funding and inspection mechanism of the new housing ordinances.

The candidates – Stephen Clark and Bill Finucane, for the 2nd Ward, and James Mitchell and Bob Snow, for the 4th Ward – expressed varying degrees of disagreement about the inspections, which are funded through fees paid by landlords.

“It’s a big waste of time, and a big waste of effort,” Mitchell said. “Having them inspected is one thing, but they shouldn’t be tagged with a fee, but with a fine if there’s something wrong.”