City of Aiken likely to lose money under new 'junk car' ordinance

By APRIL BAILEY
Staff writer

Those with abandoned vehicles outside City residences may be hearing from City officials in the very near future.

Monday, Aiken City Council members unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance which aims to reduce the number of inoperative, junk cars parked outside homes throughout the City.

The new ordinance outlines procedures for the removal of the vehicle and includes an incentive program for its owners. The program is modeled after one implemented in Anderson several years ago. The City will purchase the vehicle from its owner for $75 and then tow the vehicle to a scrap metal facility where it will be sold.

When the proposal was introduced to Council members in a work session this past October, the City looked to benefit from the program as well. It was described as self-financing. Depending on the weight of the vehicle sold, City officials expected to sell the cars for anywhere from $342 to $600.

However, City Manager Roger LeDuc said that was before the prices for scrap metal dropped drastically. He said he recently spoke with a scrap metal dealer and learned that prices for junk cars have declined 60-80 percent.

"We certainly will not be making any money off of this; if anything, we will be losing money," he said.

The program will cost the City $175 per car, which includes the purchase of the vehicle and about $100 in towing costs.

While the project may end up costing the City extra cash, LeDuc said it is a part of a larger effort to improve neighborhoods. He said his office frequently gets calls from local residents complaining about abandoned cars in their neighbors' yards.

The City's most problematic area has been neighborhoods on the Northside, according to LeDuc.

"In a lot of cases, a person may have a car or a number of cars that they plan to have fixed, but never do," said LeDuc.

In most cases, City officials will contact vehicle owners about participating in the program; however, people are welcome to contact the City as well, he said.

While participation in the program is optional, if the vehicle owner decides to keep the automobile and it is left in an abandoned state, other measures may be taken by the City.

"The adverse thing is if they decide to do nothing; we may have to take them to livability court," said LeDuc.

Those interested in participating in the program should contact the City of Aiken's office of Neighborhood and Development Services at 642-7779.

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