By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The property maintenance department with the City of Great Bend handles several ordinance violations in April and May for overgrown vegetation. Cooler temperatures and more precipitation lead to more mowing requirements. Entering into the month of August, with scorching hot temperatures in the forecast, Hoyt Kinsinger with property maintenance starts to see less violations.
"Let's say they don't mow their yard, no correspondence, nothing," said Kinsinger. "We would send an abatement letter which would be another 10 days. Nothing happens. Then we post abatement letter on the front door or conspicuous place. That's another 10 days. It's kind of lengthy."
Vegetation that is nine inches or higher is an ordinance violation in Great Bend. Kinsinger said that ordinance applies to the sidewalks, which are the property owner’s responsibility.
"Although it is a public sidewalk, it is the responsibility of the property owner because it is on the property," said Kinsinger. "There are two ways to handle that. You could take a trimmer and trim it all off or you could take some Roundup chemical and spray it down."
Kinsinger said he tries to work with property owners in cases where their lawn mower breaks down or special circumstances. Great Bend has a seasonal employee handling the abatement mowing where the costs falls back to the owner or property taxes.
Listen below to the full interview with Hoyt Kinsinger on the Post Podcast that also aired on 1590 KVGB & 95.5 FM.