Spalding County approves first reading of 'board‑up and blight' ordinance; placement in code debated

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners approved a first reading of a proposed 'board‑up and blight' ordinance after commissioners debated where new boarding provisions should sit within the county code.

During discussion, one commissioner said boarding a structurally sound house for security is different from designating a property as blighted. Commissioners noted taxation consequences tied to a blight designation and asked staff to consider moving the boarding language into a more intuitive chapter for property owners. Staff explained the ordinance adds three new sections under unfit buildings and structures and that some boarded properties may also be blighted, creating overlap.

The county attorney and staff told the board this was the ordinance's first reading and that staff will return with proposed placement changes at the second reading. After clarifying questions about where enforcement and tax consequences would be documented, the board voted to approve the ordinance on first reading and directed staff to prepare placement edits for the next meeting.