Austin LaViolette has stayed busy handling violations of city code for overgrown vegetation since taking over as Great Bend Sanitarian in late April. LaViolette mentioned dealing with 101 overgrown vegetation cases in a two-week span in May.

He now says easements are becoming an issue in Great Bend, with owners failing to remember that they are responsible to mow and maintain the alleyways.

Austin LaViolette Audio

Maintaining the easements allow utility workers or city staff to access meters or poles.

Great Bend City Ordinance calls for vegetation to be less than 12 inches tall. Owners will receive a notification of the violation via registered mail. Following 10 days of receiving the mail, the City is allowed to mow the yard at the owner’s expense.

Great Bend City Attorney Bob Suelter says if the owner fails to pay there will be a lien put on the property, but that does not always benefit the City if the land goes up for bid on the Barton County Tax Sale.

Bob Suelter Audio

There is generally a $275 fee if the City has to mow the yard.