Residents who are facing fines for blight violations have an opportunity to avoid some fees if they work with the City.
At its June 16 meeting, the Jackson City Council passed a resolution that allows residents to reduce the amount they owe in fines from the Administrative Hearings Bureau (AHB) if associated court costs are paid off by July 31, 2020.
After a blight violation citation by City Inspectors, the violation is reviewed by the AHB.
If a violation is found, the AHB can fine the resident for the violation.
The City often spends time and resources to collect these fines and hold residents accountable for the violations. To encourage the voluntary payment of these fines, the City Council passed a resolution that allows residents a 90% reduction in the amount of the fine contained in an AHB judgment if they pay all costs associated with prosecuting the violation in the AHB by July 31, 2020. The standard amount of costs included in most AHB judgments is $320.
The payment reduction applies to all AHB judgments in the amount of $2,000 or less that were entered between Jan. 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2019.
If this temporary payment reduction plan is successful, the City will be able to recoup some of the costs associated with prosecuting violations in the AHB and allow residents to pay off their judgments at a reduced amount.
The reduction does not apply to any AHB judgments that are subject to litigation previously or currently pending in the Jackson County Circuit Court, Jackson County Probate Court or the 12th District Court.
Residents are urged to contact the City Attorney’s Office with any questions regarding the resolution.
