San Juan commissioners consider using tax firm to help collect fees for overgrown lots

Commissioners and planning staff discussed the city's process for handling overgrown private lots and whether to engage an outside tax-collection firm to pursue unpaid municipal invoices.

Planning staff explained the enforcement process: the city obtains owner information from the appraisal district, sends a 15-day notice to clean the property, and if the owner fails to act the city will mow the lot, send an invoice and can place a lien against the property until payment is made.

Several commissioners raised workload concerns and suggested asking Purdue—the firm the municipal court uses for collections—to present at the next meeting about taking on collection of weedy-lot charges to reduce administrative burden on city staff. Commissioners also discussed protections for elderly residents who cannot maintain lots and asked staff to explore relief options.

Planning staff agreed to continue exploring options, coordinate with other departments, and invite the collection firm to the next council meeting for a formal presentation.