1400 "Tall Grass" Citations Since June For One Florida City

(revised 9-4-07)
Buried at the end of an article in the The News-Press is this blurb:

• "[A] report from [Cape Coral, Florida] City Manager Terry Stewart [stated] that overgrown, vacant, improved properties could cost the city $100,000 over the next few months with little chance of recovering money from the owners. The city is seeking bidders to mow the properties, he said. But the owners can’t be found or are not responding to notices, said City Attorney Dolores Menendez. They may be in foreclosure, said City Councilwoman Dolores Bertolini. The city has issued 1,400 code violation citations for overgrown grass since June 11, Stewart said. 'The cost is an issue that continues to concern me because it is going to continue to escalate,' Stewart said. 'We’re going to see over $100,000 over the next several months.' "

For more, see Cape loses $1.2 million after delays in permits.

See also, Costs to mow grow in Southwest Florida (County, cities wade into neglected-property complaints) (9-4-07).