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Deteriorating property expenses raise questions among Galesburg aldermen

Galesburg City Council approved a number of bids for the sale of city owned properties at last night’s meeting, but various aldermen are concerned about how much of the bill the city is footing when the original property owner fails to upkeep the space.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Angela Bastian specifically questioned a vacant lot at 240 N. Henderson St. On that space, the city has paid nearly $71,400 toward the upkeep while only a bid of $1,200 was accepted to purchase the lot.

City Manager Todd Thompson says the city makes efforts to collect assets from owners when they don’t pay, but often times, the owners don’t have any. He says some of the high cost comes from having to demolish a vacant building that otherwise becomes a hazard.

“Any of them that are higher than — typically I would say probably five or six grand (thousand dollars) range would probably be related to demolition,” Thompson says. “Although some of them that we’ve mowed for numerous years or that we’ve done other kind of cleanups on, they might have high bills too.”

According to council documents, other high costs the city has incurred includes a roughly $26,760 loss on a Maple Ave. property and a $19,260 loss to a South Seminary St. lot.

Ward 2 Alderman Wayne Dennis asked what can be done to balance what the city spends. Both Thompson and City Attorney Brad Nolden say aggressive property enforcement is key.

The city officials alluded to the fact that there have been repeat offenders who purchase properties that deteriorate. Thompson says the city collects in each case “to fullest extent of the law.”

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