Ball Ground to address blight issue

Ball Ground city officials are trying a new tack on a problem the city has struggled with for years — abandoned, blighted buildings.

“These are not homes that need a coat of paint,” said City Manager Eric Wilmarth. “These are properties with holes in the roof and trees growing up through them.” He added that a number of them are located at entrances to the city and other high-profile spots.

As a result of discussions during a city retreat this past weekend, Wilmarth and the police chief will compile a list of dilapidated buildings with code violation issues by March 1. After that, the city council will consider a potential “blight tax” which could be levied on offending properties at a rate up to nine times their annual mill levy.