Jeffersonville City Council discusses blight, refurbishment project

From left to right, Annie Williams, Joseph Albert, Charles Williams, Daniel Young, Laura Gallemore and Monte Bloodworth convene for the Jeffersonville City Council Meeting on April 14. (Angel John for the TJP)

City Councilman Joseph Albert proposed the implementation of a “blight tax” in Jeffersonville Monday night. If approved, the ordinance would aim to crack down on neglected properties by financially incentivizing property owners to maintain and rehabilitate their buildings.

Albert said the proposal drew inspiration from a model ordinance adopted by the city of Griffin.

 “This ordinance gives the city more teeth,” said Mayor Charles Williams during the discussion. 

Albert outlined how the program would work. “The taxpayer who owns the property—if it’s found to be a nuisance or in violation of our code — our code enforcement officer, which is our chief of police, would issue a warning or citation to the individual,” he said. “That would then go before municipal court, and the judge would decide whether or not the case is factually based. If it is, the court would levy a seven-mill tax on the property until it’s brought up to code.”

The tax would apply only to properties officially declared blighted, functioning similarly to Griffin’s ordinance, which has served as a model for other Georgia cities in recent years.

The council did not take a vote on the proposal during the meeting, but council members agreed to take up the issue in future meetings. If the proposal were adopted, Jeffersonville would join a growing number of cities across Georgia that use a blight tax to address urban decay and promote redevelopment.

Councilwoman Annie Williams announced the appointment of new members to the Planning and Zoning Board: Debbie Brantley, Dennis Beal, Tammy Albert, Nelson Williams, and Javares Bryant. She said the newly appointed members bring diverse expertise and are expected to play a key role in guiding Jeffersonville’s future development.

A representative from the Exchange Club addressed the council to propose transferring the city’s historic fire station to the club, allowing it to apply for grants and refurbish the building. He said the building is notable for housing the first full-time volunteer fire department in Georgia and that the Exchange Club hopes to “bring it back to life” and transform it into a “productive” space for the community.

After renovations, the club would return the building to the city, he said. The city cannot currently apply for grants itself due to an overdue audit.

The council voted unanimously to approve exploring the proposal. Councilman Chris Pritchett was absent.

Additionally, the council discussed the community Easter Egg Hunt to be held in the city park from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, as well as plans for the upcoming annual yard sale. Mayor Charles Williams suggested, “Why don’t we try to help the community by doing it for free?” proposing that the city waive vendor fees to encourage greater participation and support local families with the annual sale.

This article was written by Angel John and originally published by the Times Journal Post. To learn more about Wesleyan's Democracy Lab, email ellington.wesleyancollege.edu.