MITCHELL – In an effort to clean up properties across the city, members of the Mitchell City Council reevaluated the ordinance which requires property owners to maintain their lawns to a certain level, as well as the penalties associated with letting them get out of hand.
Currently, the ordinance states anyone with grass or weeds higher than eight inches in a non-wooded area must pay a fee to the city of $25 per day until trimmed. After 10 days, the fee increases to $50 per day. Eventually, the city will send an employee to cut the grass for the resident, for which they will receive an invoice charging $75 an hour for the work.
Both Mitchell attorney John-Paul Isom and Mayor Nathan Jenkins advised the council that their fees were too low. Jenkins cited the city of Washington’s fees as an example of the direction he thinks Mitchell should move, saying they charge $140 on the first violation, $250 for the second, $500 for the third, and each time after with the total fine not to exceed $5,000.
Though he did not have an exact number prepared for the meeting, Mitchell Clerk Mark Bryant estimated the city had to mow anywhere from 20-30 lawns last year because of the ordinance.
Jenkins also noted that he is aware of some residents who prefer to just pay the city to mow their lawn following a violation because of the low cost charged.
No action was taken on the matter during Monday’s meeting, with members electing to look over options to prepare to discuss it further at February’s meeting.
