Clayton owed nearly $20K in grass cutting fines

BOB GARLOCK / STAFF

BOB GARLOCK / STAFF

Clayton officials claim the city is owed nearly $20,000 in fines connected to property owners not cutting their overgrown lawns.

“We would appreciate if the property owners could just cut their grass,” said Jack Kuntz, Clayton’s director of development. “We have hired a full-time code enforcement officer, which has been addressing the high grass situation.”

Kuntz said the fees property owners still owe to the city will be assessed on their property taxes.

Once the city identifies a property with overgrown grass, a sign is placed on the property. This allows owners three days to cut their grass to less than 8 inches. If the property owner is not compliant, the city handles the mowing and charges the property owner for the work.

“It’s $200 per acre,” Kuntz said. “There’s also a $100 fine, which we do use … really we want the property owners to not use the city to come cut their grass.”

Michael O’Bryan, a Clayton resident, said it’s irresponsible for people not to care for their own properties.

“I think it’s a shame they don’t cut their grass,” O’Bryan said. “I take care of my son’s and my brother’s houses. You know, you’re a homeowner, your responsibility, you should do it.”