Oak Ridge approves first reading of slum-clearance code change allowing recovery of remediation costs on property tax bills

Oak Ridge City Council on May 12 approved on first reading an ordinance adding a new chapter 7, titled "slum clearance," to Title 13 (Property Maintenance) of the city's code. The new provision expands enforcement tools available to the city, including an option to place reimbursement of remediation costs on the property tax roll.

City staff explained the change does not create novel authority beyond state law but provides an additional administrative enforcement mechanism. "It allows the city an additional enforcement mechanism for collection of the reimbursement of cost," the staff presenter said, and specifically permits placing those costs on a property's tax bill as an alternative to suing for collection.

Council discussion focused on process and applicability. Councilmember Smith asked why the city had not used the law previously; staff answered the city had slum-clearance references in property-maintenance sections but had not adopted the full tax-roll collection option. Staff said the provision applies to both residential and commercial properties and that existing due-process protections remain; Smith emphasized the ordinance includes administrative appeals.

A council question asked whether the tax-roll placement would be automatic; staff said the city would have options: file a lien and place the cost on the property tax bill or pursue collection through suit; the likely practice would be to place a lien and request payment once, then place it on the property tax bill if unpaid.

Council approved the ordinance on first reading unanimously. The matter will return for second and final reading before becoming enforceable under the code.