Reutilization. It's a big word. It means to use over again, recycle. State of Ohio laws govern how we have to conduct certain programs or projects in the city. When the state has a specific name for a program, we're supposed to use that same name. If we had a choice, we would call it something much more simple and easier to type over and over again. Land reutilization is a tricky project with a difficult name.

In this case, 'reutilization' means that we are trying to put back into use some of the 200-plus vacant lots in the city. State of Ohio guidelines establish how we must do this. Some of these lots have been sitting empty for decades. They are illegally used as trash dumps and they're like a pair of black pants; they collect everything except money. The city ends up mowing them, which costs money. Nearby residents don't like them much, since their condition could impact their property values. The goal is to get the properties back under the control of the city so we can re-sell them to people who are going to make good use of them.

Many of these lots became vacant when the house sitting on them was condemned and torn down. Not only do the lots have back taxes assessed on them, they also have an assessment for the demolition of the house. Some of the properties have back taxes of $12,000 or more on a lot that's only worth $700. If a person wanted to buy the lot from the owner, first they would have to find the owner, many of whom have skipped town and can't be found. If they found the owner and bought the property, someone would still be responsible for paying the back taxes and assessments. They don't go away with the sale of the property. In Ohio, taxes and assessments go with the property, not the owner.

So the trick is to get rid of the back taxes and assessments. There's only one way to do that. The city has to ask the county to foreclose on the properties and take them to Sheriff's sale. The county, however, wants the city to pay for the costs of advertising the sale and various other legal costs. That amounts to about a $1,000 per lot.

Now we have a dilemma. Where is the city going to get the $1,000 per lot to start the process of foreclosing on these properties so we can put them back into productive use? The city is in bad shape financially, so we just don't have that kind of money. Most people, when they need extra money either sell something, get a second job, or borrow from a relative. The city doesn't have the last two options, so we have to sell something we own to gather up some money.

That's why we are selling 8 lots that the city already owns. We need to generate money for use in the land reutilization program. We need the money to start the foreclosure process on vacant, tax delinquent lots. Then we can put some of this property back in use for yards, neighborhood gardens, or to build new homes. We don't want to just let the vacant lots sit there and be an eyesore for the neighborhood. So, if you're interested, watch this newspaper for the ad the city has to run for five weeks. We will then take bids on the eight lots individually. The due date for the bids will be in the ad. If you have questions, please call the mayor's office at 330-821-3110.