Bartlett might set up foreclosed building registry

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The Bartlett village board, meeting as a committee Tuesday, heard a proposal for a new ordinance that would give the village staff more support in dealing with vacant properties.

The foreclosed and vacant building registry ordinance would help the village's foreclosure team maintain the condition of the village's 167 foreclosed and vacant properties.

The village staff determined a registry ordinance would require a contact name, address and telephone number for the authorized agent of the property, who could receive notices of code violations and court or enforcement proceedings.

Among other requirements, the ordinance would also establish an annual $200 registry fee payable by the building owner, mortgage holder or management company, along with a one-time $250 inspection fee. The ordinance has potential to bring in between $40,000 and $50,000 per year, which would cover the cost of inspections and program administration.

Trustee Dennis Nolan asked if those fees would be the responsibility of the people who lost their home, but Community Development Director Jim Plonczynski said in almost every case it would be the responsibility of the bank or mortgage holder that acquired the property.

"The intent of this ordinance is to make sure you track of (a foreclosed home), keep it registered and put it back on the tax rolls with somebody living in the home, fixed up," Plonczynski said.

"It's nice to know which homes are vacant so we can keep an extra eye on them," added Police Chief Kent Williams.

Several nearby communities, including Elgin, South Elgin and East Dundee, have already established a similar registry.