A blight ta is a very forward-thinking solution

Last week in my column, referencing blighted properties in our community,  I asked the question, “Where is our community pride? The blighted property eyesores dotting the lovely landscape of this community are unacceptable to me as a citizen, and from comments I have heard on the streets, it is to you as well. I asked for residents of the community who feel the same way to send me the addresses of the blighted properties in our community they are sick and tired of seeing – day after day. So far, as of Wednesday morning, August 21, via in person, emails and texts, I have received 87 addresses.

I plan to hand deliver those specific addresses to the powers that be so they can put them on their gonna do something about it real soon list.

Any level of blight in our community is unacceptable, so why do we continue to allow blighted properties to remain – for years!

If regulations and ordinances, and enforcement of those tools, are not going to solve the problem fast enough, what else can we do?

How about a blight tax? Now that’s a forward-thinking solution.

The main purpose of a blight tax would not be to punish the owners of abandoned structures or houses in major disrepair. It would instead serve as an incentive to keep dwellings and other buildings properly maintained and to bring eyesores that are structurally unsound due to age and lack of upkeep back up to code.

All too often a once well-lived in dwelling is neglected to the point that it falls into a state of near ruin. It then becomes a general nuisance to the rest of the street or neighborhood, turning into a habitat for rats and other vermin. Many dilapidated structures pose a health hazard and are unsafe.

Structures in poor condition may not be the only target of a blight tax. Owners of properties where illegal activity occurs can also be hit with the tax.

This is not a new strategy in Georgia. The cities of Brunswick and Blakely are considering enacting one, and a number of municipalities across the Peach State are already availing themselves of this tactic. They include the state’s largest city, Atlanta, as well as Forest Park, Warner Robins and Albany, which put the tax into effect as far back as 2008.

Over the years, leaders  the city of Donalsonville, Iron City and Seminole County have been more than patient with the owners of structures that are not fit for human occupation. It is high time for our elected leaders to begin thinking about how these properties affect the safety of surrounding individuals and families. They also can be a curse on the resale value of well-kept properties.

If accepted, the blight tax would be another weapon in the arsenal to encourage property owners to do what they already should be doing.

In the meantime keep sending your blighted property addresses to me, and I will keep delivering them to the powers that be.

Comments and impressions are welcomed at [email protected]