On Tuesday March 5th, the Winchester Board of Commissioners held a second reading of an ordinance on Abandoned and Blighted Urban Properties. The ordinance passed unanimously.
Abandoned and blighted properties impose significant financial costs on the City as they require greater code enforcement activities, maintenance, and services such as police and fire protection.
The ordinance establishes definitions of abandoned and blighted property in line with KRS 99.700 and sets forth a procedure by which the Administrative Hearing Board will determine a property’s status, potential for remedies and enforcement action.
The ordinance establishes a supplemental tax of $1.50 on each $100 of assessed value of abandoned and blighted properties.
