The Carroll City Council made progress during the Monday, Feb. 12 meeting in implementing a vacant property ordinance intended to encourage owners to sell, lease, or otherwise utilize empty structures. The initial ordinance to be advanced by the council would have implemented a registration fee of $500 for functionally abandoned buildings, but it did not include provisions for vacant lots. Ward 3 Councilman Kyle Bauer, who was absent during the ordinance’s first reading last month, says he does not believe a $500 penalty is enough to encourage a property owner to take action.
Bauer recommended they return to the original language, which would put the vacant property penalty at one percent of the assessed valuation. At-Large Councilman LaVern Dirkx noted some properties that would be affected by the ordinance have very low valuations. Bauer and Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton suggested combining the two options.
While ordinances like this are common in other communities throughout Iowa, this would be the first for Carroll. Atherton says it is important residents understand the intent behind the ordinance.
The council favored making the changes, but City Attorney Dave Bruner advised they would need to begin the three-reading process over to follow proper procedure. The council voted unanimously to approve the amended ordinance. Two more readings are required before it would become active.
