Manteca is doing everything it can to make sure those who create blight pick up the tab for the city’s efforts to force them to correct property maintenance issues.

The City Council earlier this month signed off on a plan with San Joaquin County to place assessments against property in a bid to recover some of the money taxpayers spent to get people to comply with property upkeep laws.

The city since 2009 the City of Manteca has spent $3,400,000 in abatement costs and administrative citations.

Much of that involved dealing with foreclosures during the housing market collapse, buildings gutted by fire, vehicle abatement, general property upkeep and such.

As of July 10, 2020 the City has recovered $1,970,000 of the $3.4 million they spent leaving $1,430,000 in delinquent costs and fines.

Approving the San Joaquin County Special Assessment Charge Agreement and certifying the properties and delinquent amounts to be assessed on the San Joaquin County property tax roll of the property owner provides the city an additional means to recover delinquent balances and costs of service.

The council’s action means $164,700 in such assessments will be placed on upcoming property tax bills in 2023.

The Code Enforcement Division already was using several other methods to recover abatements costs, fines, and fees linked with enforcement activity

The Code Enforcement Division investigates violations of the Manteca Municipal Code and other State and Federal codes related to land use, building, business licensing and operation, health code, and various other non-criminal statutes.

As part of the enforcement process administrative citations are issued to property owners in an effort to gain voluntary compliance. If voluntary compliance cannot be obtained the division abates public nuisances and properties deemed to be a public health or safety hazard.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com