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Villa Heights resident urges stricter enforcement of property maintenance; supervisors pledge follow-up
Summary
A Collinsville District resident told the Henry County Board of Supervisors that long-standing property neglect, untagged vehicles and repeated mowing complaints are harming neighborhood quality; board members pledged to pursue coordinated enforcement and a community meeting.
Melanie Hampton, a lifelong resident of the Villa Heights community (Collinsville District), told the Henry County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 23 that problems with vacant, unmaintained properties, untagged vehicles and repeated trash complaints have persisted for years and that county enforcement has been inconsistent.
"At some point, we should start enforcing some fines and the jail time that is in the county's bylaws," Hampton said, describing properties that she said have had no utility service since 2015, recurring overgrowth and vehicles left untagged on private lots. Hampton told the board she had documented properties with photographs and property-card information and had worked with county code enforcement, deputies and staff but that problems frequently recur.
Hampton named specific addresses in Villa Heights and described a house with a November 2022 fire that she said remains occupied with no running water and a camper in the yard. She said some properties are owned by nonresident landlords and urged the county to explore stronger enforcement options and landlord accountability.
Supervisor Goodwin responded by offering direct assistance and community coordination. "I'll be glad to sit down with you and talk," Goodwin said, adding that supervisors and deputies frequently respond to the same recurring locations and that a coordinated plan could improve results. Supervisor Dillard and others said they would support community meetings and increased local coordination; the board encouraged Hampton to work with district staff to schedule follow-up.
Ending County deputies and code enforcement staff were present during the public comment period and the board asked staff to arrange a meeting with residents, deputies and county officials to discuss enforcement options and possible community responses. The board noted that judicial outcomes and prosecution are controlled by the courts and that enforcement often depends on sustained follow-up and documentation.
