Monday, members of the county commission discussed regulating overgrown vegetation on owner-occupied lots and giving the county the power to place a lien on properties to pay for any clean-up done by the county's work crews. In the event the lien was not satisfied the county could, in theory, foreclose on that property.  

County Planner Russ Newman said the county planning commission recommended the resolution be passed. "I renew my objection," County Commissioner Austin Shaver said adding the idea was "a wholly inappropriate area for county government to be engaged in." 

He also said the plan could have the effect of turning neighbor against neighbor and could lead to hard feelings. 

Commissioner Bob Franke said there are properties currently vacant that are overgrown that the county does not enforce a clean up on.

Newman said his office doesn't have the staff to enforce clean-up rules everywhere in the county and only moves when they receive a specific compliant. Newman also said some people are reluctant to speak to an offending neighbor for fear of offending someone they have to live next to, so they prefer authorities handle it.

Commissioner Earlena Maples said she could not vote for the measure since having an overgrown yard could indicate a family going through hard times, not just being lazy.

Commission Chairman Roy Bledsoe brought up another potential problem with the measure. He said he had spoken to a farmer in his district who was concerned people would object to his hay fields growing tall as he waited for the right time to cut the hay. "I prefer this not to pass," Bledsoe said. 

Commissioner Don Miller referred to the situation as a fine line between the rights of property owners and their neighbors. He said after further reflection, he preferred to leave things as they are and that the commission could revisit the idea if necessary. 

After more discussion, Commissioner Nancy Marcus, who had moved to support the matter, withdrew her motion effectively killing the proposal.