The Salina City Commission on Aug. 11 approved Ordinance No. 25-11255 levying special assessments against properties where the city abated code violations and property owners did not reimburse the city.

Debbie Pack, director of finance, said since the last abatement cycle in fall 2024 the city billed $225,869.54 for abatement work covering 398 violations across 316 unique properties. Pack said about $75,000 of that amount has been paid and staff provided the commission a list of unpaid abatements that will be assessed on property taxes in the fall if not resolved.

Pack explained the process: code enforcement notifies property owners; if owners do not correct violations the city abates the property and bills the owner; unpaid bills become special assessments recorded with county property taxes. Commissioners asked about repeat unpaid properties; staff said roughly a dozen properties appear repeatedly and confirmed the department could look into demographic tracking to identify whether particular groups (for example, elderly homeowners) are disproportionately affected.

Commissioner Davis and other commissioners noted community groups and volunteers sometimes assist residents with lawn care and other maintenance needs; staff said code enforcement attempts to connect residents to resources when notified.

Mayor Linkowitz moved to approve Ordinance No. 25-11255 levying the special assessments; the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote, 5-0.