MANSFIELD, La. — The City of Mansfield recently issued a clarification regarding the cleanup of blighted properties and who is responsible for associated costs.

According to city officials, Mansfield has not incurred any costs to date for cleaning blighted properties. Property owners who have received notices from the city’s code enforcement officer have either cleaned the properties themselves or paid contractors or other individuals to complete the work.

The city said it is currently updating its ordinance to allow Mansfield to clean blighted properties when necessary and add the cost of the cleanup to the property owner’s annual taxes.

Officials also clarified costs associated with structures burned by Mansfield Fire Department employees as part of property cleanup efforts. When a house is burned, the property owner is charged a fee by the Fire Department to cover fuel costs.

The city issued the information to clarify the current process as Mansfield continues addressing blighted properties and updating its ordinance.