Saltville attorney presents draft ordinances to use new Virginia law to address derelict, tax-delinquent property; council will review before vote

Town Attorney Paul Cassell presented two draft ordinances to the Saltville Town Council on Sept. 9 that would implement recently enacted state provisions dealing with long-vacant, tax-delinquent property.

Cassell told the council the first draft follows Virginia Code §15.2-958.1 and allows the town to petition a court to transfer property that has been vacant for five years and tax delinquent so it can be sold to someone who will put it to use. The second drafted ordinance provides a local mechanism, consistent with Virginia Code §58.1-3221.6 as discussed, for declaring property blighted or derelict. Cassell said property owners would be notified and could appeal a blight determination to the treasurer as the tax-determining authority.

Councilman Ryan Comer asked that Cassell email the drafted ordinances to each council member and requested the item be placed on the next work session agenda so members can review and, if desired, schedule a public hearing before any final vote. Council took no action on the drafts at the Sept. 9 regular meeting.

Cassell’s presentation emphasized procedural safeguards in the draft language—including notice and an appeal to the tax-determining authority—but councilmembers asked for time to review the documents and return with questions at the work session.

The council packet includes the statutory citations and Cassell’s draft ordinance language; no public hearing or adoption occurred at the Sept. 9 meeting.