CALLAWAY — In an effort to confront Callaway’s continued code enforcement concerns, City Manager Michael Fuller is proposing a foreclosure registry tonight at the Callaway Commission meeting.
“A lot of times there’s a report of a code enforcement violation, no one lives there and the person that technically owns it, they don’t have any incentive,” Fuller said.
A residence Fuller cited was a house on Katherine Avenue, foreclosed and left overgrown by a bank for months before any action was taken. Fuller said communication proved difficult with a bank and property management company both based out of town.
The main goal of the registry is to identify a responsible party and thus have a name and phone number to direct code enforcement complaints. Having a list of properties should aid Bay County Sheriff’s officers as well, as vacant properties sometimes become dens of illegal activity.
Fuller said Callaway has more foreclosures than some other cities because it is heavily residential; he estimated the current number to be between 50 and 75 foreclosures.
Fuller is giving the City Commission an option for a registration fee, presenting a range from $50 to $250 the property owner must pay to get on the list.
The meeting is at 6 p.m. at 500 Callaway Park Way.