NATCHEZ — The deadline has long passed for Arlington owner Dr. Thomas Vaughan to remove 10 inoperable vehicles from his property.

City Building Inspector Paul Dawes said Friday Vaughan had until a Jan. 8 court-ordered deadline to remove the vehicles, which had all been vandalized.

“We have since gotten bids to remove those vehicles,” Dawes said.

The City of Natchez has awarded a $3,850 contract to Natchez Salvage & Parts to clean off the lot. Dawes said work is set to begin next week, and Vaughan will foot the bill.

“(Vaughan) will also have to pay to capture his vehicles back and take them where he wishes outside the city,” Dawes said.

The city public works department was at work last month clearing the property. According to a disposition order drafted by Municipal Judge Jim Blough, all work, materials and labor required to rescue Arlington will be placed in a lien against the property.

Vaughan, who was found guilty of demolition by neglect and abandonment of motor vehicles, has been ordered to pay $551 in court fines. Payment was due Jan. 6, but Dawes said he was not certain if Vaughan paid the fines.

Repeated attempts to contact Blough Friday were unsuccessful.

According to the disposition order, efforts to impede or obstruct the order are punishable as contempt of court.