Groveton takes steps to beef up ordinances

GROVETON — The Groveton City Council approved amendments to two ordinances regarding unsightly areas and appointed a committee that will keep tabs on violators.

City Secretary Dorrie Cotton said that at the Oct. 27 meeting, the council approved changes to the dilapidated and unsafe buildings ordinance to narrow the definitions and then approved a weed ordinance.

She said that the ordinances will become effective once reviewed by the city attorney.

A third ordinance regarding junked, wrecked and dismantled vehicles was tabled for council members to seek more information, Cotton said.

Relatedly, the council approved the formation of a building standards committee approved, which will be tasked to enforce city ordinance once the ordinance amendments are reviewed and approved.

In other business, council members:

• discussed with Sandy Richards regarding the Groveton Economic Development Corporation and it providing funds to help the city with certain renovation projects;
• approved use of the square on Oct. 31, Nov. 11 and Dec. 13 for community events;
• approved paying the Inframark bill of $15,128.96;
• tabled approval on increasing water and sewer tap fees from $1,500 to $2,500 for additional information;
• approved raising commercial water deposits from $300 to $500, which will become effective Dec. 1;
• approved the 2026 holiday schedule; and
• approved changes to the EDC bylaws to have them handle ribbon cuttings.

Also on Oct. 27, the Groveton EDC Board of Directors met at City Hall.

The board added former mayor Tommie Walton to fill a vacant position.