Bourbon Officials Concerned About Properties In Disrepair

The Bourbon City Council on June 21 discussed ways to improve unsightly properties throughout town, but reached no conclusions about the best way to move forward.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Sonya Sewald said that properties going out of town of Highway N are in disrepair.

“It’s the last thing people see when they leave,” she said.

The city has spent the past several years discussing ways of improving properties.

They have cracked down on nuisance violations, like tall grass or weeds. Derelict vehicles have been towed away. Vehicles parked on unimproved surfaces have been cited.

Last summer, the city sent out nearly three dozen nuisance violations. Over a few months, they were gradually able to get everyone in compliance.

Bourbon has occupancy codes on the books that were copied from the city of Cuba Homes are inspected prior to being rented out by Police Chief Scott Zwetow or Mark McEuen, a public works employee.

The board went into a lengthy discussion June 21 of how to improve rental properties. 

When a new tenant moves in, the city can send someone in to inspect the property for violations.

If the property doesn’t pass inspection, the city can keep the utilities off to bring the home into compliance.

However, the entire occupancy permit process is essentially on the honor system.

Landlords are not required by law to notify the city when a new tenant moves in. A landlord can move tenants in and out without having to go through the occupancy check. 

This keeps the city from being able to use its only tool — utilities — to improve the property.

Sewald suggested that the city standardize the way utilities are set up by not allowing landlords to keep it in their name.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Mary Heywood pointed out that some landlords keep the utilities in their name so that they can take action against tenants.