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Marion council adopts Ordinance 4060 to fund vacant property redevelopment
Summary
Marion adopted Ordinance 4060 to create a vacant property redevelopment program with $100,000 initially allocated and grants up to $10,000 per registered vacant property, plus a lien‑release process subject to mayoral approval and a 12‑month completion requirement for recipients.
Marion Mayor Absher and the city council voted to adopt Ordinance 4060, establishing a vacant property redevelopment program that allocates $100,000 from an economic incentive fund and offers grants of up to $10,000 per registered vacant structure.
The ordinance applies only to properties on the city’s vacant property registry; eligible applicants must describe the proposed project, costs and timeline. "This would provide a $10,000 per property," Mayor Absher said while outlining the program’s steps, which include an initial disbursement after council approval and a final inspection before the second half of funding is released.
Council members emphasized taxpayer protections built into the proposal. The ordinance requires a special occupancy permit inspection and contemplates filing a lien if an approved project is not completed: "If the project was not complete ... we would actually file a lien against the property," Mayor Absher said. The ordinance also authorizes waiver of some city liens, but that authority is subject to the mayor’s approval to prevent excessive exposures.
Members raised questions about tax liens and whether applications could be approved ahead of closing if taxes are paid at closing. Council discussion noted many vacant properties carry multiple years of unpaid taxes; staff said applications can be approved before closing but that verification of closing and payment will be required in practice.
City staff and councilors also discussed limits to enforcement. A city staffer noted that "physically forcing an owner to renovate or demo a building is very difficult because we have to ... convince the court" and that courts are often reluctant to order demolition unless a structure is irreparably damaged.
The ordinance requires program renewal on an annual basis, allowing council to tweak provisions each year; Mayor Absher said council could amend the ordinance midyear if adjustments are needed. The measure passed by roll call with those present voting in favor and Commissioner Stecklen absent.
The city will administer applications through the city’s existing economic incentive/TIF‑style workflow with staff review, property inspections and council approval of eligible disbursements.
