Mowing charge doubled to prod tardy lot owners
So far this year the City of Winkler has found close to 100 property owners who think it`s worth $50. Now the city is going to find out how many think it`s worth twice that.
In an effort to get the more tardy owners to clean up their vacant lots, city council has doubled the penalty it assesses when it has to have the work done itself.
Transportation committee chairman Henry Siemens says there are too many property owners who did not respond to requests to make their vacant lots more presentable by having them mowed. For that reason, he said, his committee was recommending that the charge to go up again, to $100.
"Even at $50, some people saw it as a service and waited for the city to do it," Siemens said. Doubling the charge to $100 is intended to make it more punitive, he explained, adding that the property owners are first contacted and asked to mow their properties. Failing that, they are told, the city will have it done and bill them accordingly.
Mayor Martin Harder agreed with the committee`s recommendation, commenting, "We want people (both owners and developers) to look after their lots."
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