Bad homeowners cost city $450,000 in 2011

LIMA — Absent and negligent homeowners cost the city more than $450,000 last year.

Lima Development Director Amy Odum presented City Council with a rundown Monday of the city's 2011 expenditures on property maintenance.

Last year, the city sent out more than 1,800 notices to property owners concerning maintenance violations. Of those, 828 ended with city-paid workers having to perform maintenance.

The maintenance bill included the cost of upkeep on 461 vacant lots. The great majority of costs stem from homes and lots that have been abandoned, Odum said.

“Over 70 percent of our activity involves vacant lots or vacant building,” Odum said.

The total bill for that work came to just more than $458,000 in costs, fees and fines, Odum said. Of that, $241,000 went unpaid.

About $221,000 of the $458,000 was collected through assessment on property tax bills. Another $49,010 was paid directly by property owners.

Odum told the council that is actually an improvement compared to past years.

“The good news, if you look at it this way, is that our receipt via taxes has increased substantially … our collections are improving,” Odum said.

Fifth Ward Councilwoman Teresa Adams said that, while it is a necessary expenditure, it's money she wishes could be spent elsewhere.

“This is money we could spend on other programs for assistance to other citizens that are responsible, but we have to spend it on this,” Adams said.