SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 55

(By Senators Bowman, Bailey, Boley, Foster, Jenkins, Minard, Stollings, Sypolt, White and Yoder)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study authorizing municipalities means to satisfy liens on unpaid municipal fees, including fees on uninhabitable and/or abandoned structures.

Whereas, A municipality currently has the authority to send letters to a property owner, condemn the property and/or put a lien on property for unpaid fees, however a municipality does not have the means to satisfy the lien; and
Whereas, Uninhabited and abandoned properties not only have negative aesthetic qualities, but they may be hazardous to the surrounding community; and
Whereas, The municipality may condemn and demolish the property, but it cannot obtain reimbursement for the demolition costs; and
Whereas, Allowing a municipality to sell the property to satisfy the lien and retain some of the money from the sale may be a means to help the municipality; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study authorizing municipalities means to satisfy liens on unpaid municipal fees, including fees on uninhabitable and/or abandoned structures; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Regular Session of the Legislature, 2008, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.