Craig Howell FRUSTRATED – Weirton Mayor Dean Harris holds up a stack of papers representing recent property maintenance complaints filed by the city. Weirton Council met in a work session Tuesday to discuss possible options to tackle issues of high grass in the community.

WEIRTON – Weirton officials hope increased enforcement, coupled with better education about city codes, will make a difference in property maintenance issues around town.

Weirton Council convened into a work session Tuesday evening, with officials focusing their discussion on ways to address what they said are increasing property concerns, including uncut grass in addition to physical, structural problems.

Mayor Dean Harris said, especially with a currently short-staffed inspections department, the city’s code officers are spending an inordinate amount of time going after properties for tall grass when more serious issues, such as blight in the city, should be the focus.

“These guys are constantly out addressing these issues,” Harris said, adding while the public may want to point blame at code officials, it ultimately is up to the property owners to take care of the matters. “It’s got to end and it’s got to end now.”

In recent years, the city’s code inspection process has shifted from a purely complaint-driven situation to a system where code inspectors now are assigned patrol areas, making sweeps through the city and issuing citations when necessary.

Harris said one recent sweep through Marland Heights resulted in 25 citations, with Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead noting he is aware of between 30 and 40 in the city’s downtown.

“I can’t go to work and I can’t come home from work without hearing about something,” Stead said.

City Manager Mike Adams, though, noted the city updated some of its property code in March 2025, which he hopes should help to put more tools into the city’s arsenal to address the concerns, while also potentially streamlining some aspects.

City Attorney Vince Gurrera noted an increased effort to fine those brought to city court for tall grass, with increases in the money ordered paid if someone is a repeat offender. Gurrera also explained, under the updated city ordinances, the city can fine both owners and occupants of a residence, if necessary.

City Judge Dean Makricostas said there have been instances of his issuing a fine of up to $1,500 to someone for tall grass.

Code Official Nick Stewart indicated they are tracking those who have been cited for high grass in order to know whether they address the issue or let it happen again.

“Once you’re added to the grass list, you’re permanently on the grass list the whole season,” Stewart said.

Still, Harris said he knows of instances where individuals only cut their grass when they are ordered to by the city.

“We’ve got to find a way to send a message to them,” Harris said, adding often the biggest offenders are out-of-town corporations that buy up property and never take care of it.

Adams indicated the city also can file civil action through the circuit courts for some of the more extreme cases.

While several options were discussed, including the possibility of garnishing wages, shutting off utilities or using the fines collected to fund the city’s efforts to cut grass, officials warned they have to make certain any such actions are legal.

It also was suggested Weirton officials reach out to other municipalities to see what options may have been undertaken in other parts of the state, with Harris indicating many of West Virginia’s communities have similar concerns.