The City of Clinton is beefing up its ordinances in hopes of better compliance with property owners for the upkeep and cleanliness of properties. 

City Administrator Tony Harris indicates earlier this month the City Council approved ordinances that beef up the penalties for property owners with repeat violations of infractions regarding the cleanliness of its property.

Sometimes, absentee owners present a challenge because they may not be around to monitor the condition of the properties. Harris says they will do their best to track down those people and do what they can to bring them into compliance.

The City has taken an interest in properties that find themselves in prominent parts of town. While those property owners may feel targeted, Harris indicates there are a number of properties they are taking an interest in.

When a property becomes too much for a property owner to maintain, they may tear the place down or turn it over to the City. Harris (right) says they are in the middle of one such scenario right now.

In dealing with these situations over the years, City of Clinton officials have maintained they are seeking compliance versus perpetually writing citations to residents.