Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin was the deciding vote on a controversial property maintenance code. After the city council came to a six-to-six tie, Perrin cast the seventh vote last night, which means that Jonesboro will have a property maintenance code that mirrors the International Property Maintenance Code. After the meeting, Perrin commented on why he voted the way he did.
“What I have done over the last two or three months is that I have had meetings with both sides of this issue and I have weighed the pros and the cons,” said Perrin. “Based on my staff and what they recommended, this will be a start for a maintenance code that we need in Jonesboro. Let me say that this is complaint-driven, so it is not that we are going to drive down the road and look at homes. Once calls come in, then we will check it out. There may be some amendments needed to this code, but at least it is a start.”
He tells what is next in the process.
“It won’t take effect for 30 days. In that ordinance, we will have to set up an appeal board and other things. We will also provide monthly reports to the public about this code. My door is always open and I will be happy to hear from the citizens of Jonesboro about this and we may have to make amendments and changes to this. At least, this is a start in the process.”
Those who favored the code said it would help the city deal with dilapidated buildings and would help keep property values high. Those who were against the code stated they were against the interior components of the code. Some opponents say they may push for the code to be placed on the November ballot for citizens to decide on the code.
