VIDALIA — Vidalia aldermen said more than 30 properties are potential health hazards around town.

The board discussed enforcing its blighted property policy on places throughout town where the weeds are so high rats and other vermin are causing problems. Once the high grass and weed problems are under control, the ordinance also allows for demolishing hazardous structures.

Town manager Bill Murray said the city could charge up to $150 an hour for a maximum of two hours for yard work. The charges can be put on the property owner’s tax bill in an attempt to recoup the money, Murray said.

To call a property blighted, Murray said it must be a place that has not been taken care of for a number of years. Murray said it is often a situation where officials cannot find a responsible human being to take care of it.

Alderman Tommy Probst said many of these properties got to this point because the grass ordinance, which similarly allows the town to go on property, cut the grass and charge the resident via tax roll, has not been enforced.

The complication with enforcing the blighted property ordinance is it requires hiring an attorney to serve as a hearing officer to hear reasons from residents.

Alderwoman Sabrina Doré said with the city in talks of making cuts to a budget passed by the previous administration, hiring an attorney now is putting the cart before the horse.

“First and foremost, we need to get the budget under control before we add budget items that add to the expense column,” she said.

Doré said this project should be part of that discussion, but she thought adding expenses should come after cuts are completed.

Alderman Jon Betts said to be in compliance with the ordinance, a hearing officer has to be hired.

“It will have to be part of the budget if we are to follow our ordinance,” he said.

Alderman Tron McCoy said the hearing attorney appointed by Mayor Buz Craft, Hu’Cheryl Walker of Vidalia, had not yet provided an estimate.

Though appointed, the board would need to approve any funding to pay Walker.

McCoy said once the city began talking numbers, the problem needs to be a priority.

Doré said she agrees.

“I don’t think anybody on this board believes we need to scrap this,” she said. “I think it is good, and we need to make room for it.”

The board ultimately decided to table the matter until a later time.

In other news, Craft said he and the other aldermen would individually meet with department heads next week to discuss amending the budget. Craft said he hoped to call a special meeting in late November or early December to amend the budget.

– Outdoor signs were approved for State Farm agents Adam Bryant and Jordan Farmer.

–  The board unanimously accepted a legal name change for the Desai Hotel Group to Vidalia Hotel Group.

The hotel group is building a TownePlace Suites by Marriot on the Vidalia Riverfront near Promise Hospital.