The Sac City Council has more than doubled the rate they charge to property owners when municipal employees are forced to clean or mow nuisance properties. Administrator, Jamie Lawrence, says they have seen an increase in the number of properties being neglected by the owners.
Previous rates were $65 per hour plus additional fees for time and weight if debris had to be cleared from a property. According to Lawrence, the council unanimously approved a resolution at their May 25 meeting that significantly increased those fees in an effort to cut back on how many lawns city crews were required to maintain.
These rate changes are effective immediately. Lawrence explains how property owners will be billed.
He is confident the substantial rate increases will encourage at least a few of the frequent offenders to maintain their properties. However, several of the vacant lots are owned by individuals that do not reside in the area, and Lawrence expects city crews will still need to mow or clean up private property from time to time. For more information on Sac City’s property maintenance ordinances, contact the municipal offices at 712-662-7593.
