New Ordinances Target Eyesores in Soperton

At a public information meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Soperton Mayor John Koon presented information about two new city ordinances and the procedures the city will be following to enforce these ordinances. Approximately 40 people, who included private citizens as well as business owners, were in attendance at the meeting. The Mayor explained that the newly adopted ordinances apply to both residential properties and businesses within the city limits. The codes address derelict houses and buildings as well as properties with overgrown lawns. An additional ordinance addresses junk continued from page

cars and abandoned or inoperative vehicles that pose an eyesore within the city. Mayor Koon said the main goal is to help clean up the City of Soperton by fairly and consistently enforcing these and other ordinances already in place.

The mayor announced that part-time Code Enforcement Officer Chad Phillips was hired on to facilitate the enforcement of these laws and his official start date w as August 1. The code officer will monitor the city and create a list of properties that are in violation of the codes. A letter will then be sent to the property owners who are out of compliance, notifying them of the issue, and they will have 14 days to respond or appeal the notification. After the 14 days, the property owner will have 30 days to begin clean up efforts to bring the property into compliance with city codes. If the property remains in violation of the ordinance, the owner will be sent a citation to appear before the municipal judge, who will give the property owner an opportunity to rectify the problem or pay a fine of $1000 per day. If the owner does not abide by the judge's orders, then the property will be condemned and demolished by the city. If the violation involves unkempt yards or vehicles and the owner does not comply, the vehicles will be removed and yards will be cleared by the city at the owner's expense.

After his presentation, Mayor Koon opened the floor for those in attendance to ask questions or give their feedback regarding these new city codes. Questions and statements were voiced a s to whether enforcement of the ordinances could be applied legally and if the ordinances would be applied fairly. Also questioned was the high amount of the fine, the possible inability of some homeowners to comply due to physical limitations, and the fact that many are still dealing with Hurricane Helene issues on their property . Some voiced their opinion that ordinanceenforcement should not be applicable to situations as a result of the hurricane damage. Mayor Koon, along with the city attorney and the two council members present, addressed everyone’s questions and statements, reassuring that each situation would be looked at fairly and reasonably and that there would be an avenue of appeal available should a property owner feel they needed to further address their particular situation.

At the conclusion of the public forum, the mayor reminded everyone that had any further concerns or questions they could contact their city council representative or the mayor’s office.