Council members used the Sept. 15 budget workshop to press staff on how the city handles abandoned or hazardous properties, demolition spending and related liens.
Staff said the city opened 22 demolition cases in fiscal 2024 and spent about $23,002 on city-performed demolitions; of those 22, 10 were self-demolitions and eight were demolished by the city. For fiscal 2025, staff reported 25 demolition cases: 15 self-demolitions, five city demolitions and 12 still in progress or in court. City spending on demolitions in FY25 was reported at about $6,010, with dumpster costs around $7,008.
Staff said the city places liens for unpaid fines and remediation costs and has recovered some costs as properties sold; one case now carries daily fines that have exceeded $50,000. Council members raised concerns that liens may deter redevelopment and discussed the possibility of negotiating lien waivers in exchange for removal and redevelopment.
City staff said they reduced the demolition appropriation in the draft budget and shifted some of those funds into a new lot-clearing line item to address sites that require more than routine mowing, especially where city crews lack capacity. Staff said contracted local lawn companies are used for lot clearing through a bid list; the city also receives some comped dumpsters through a contractor arrangement.
Council members and staff discussed limits imposed by Texas property-law practice when owners are deceased or heirs are hard to locate, which complicates rapid demolition. Staff said in many cases the preferred outcome is owner-led demolition, and that the city places liens and pursues fines when necessary.
Council asked staff to provide more visibility into active cases; staff said quarterly court reports and a previously circulated top-10 list are available on request. Several council members pushed for more proactive use of available funds and for code changes if current ordinances hamper remediation efforts.
Staff emphasized the shift toward code and unified-development updates to provide stronger tools for enforcement and cleanup without increasing the city
urden.