Clinton is not the only community in DeWitt County focused on a city-wide cleanup effort through code enforcement.

Taylor Baxter is the City Manager for Farmer City and indicates they too are having some troubles with properties and their upkeep. Like Clinton, they are using code enforcement to prompt a change.

Baxter notes in Farmer City, homeowners are speaking out during public comment at City Council meetings, asking the City to take action on property owners with brush and trash, and loose items in their yards.

According to Baxter, Farmer City is focusing on code enforcement and updating its zoning code book. He says it has been interesting because Farmer City last year took over its zoning from DeWitt County.

Baxter emphasizes the City does not want to take control of properties for the simple reason it is a very costly process.