Here's an interesting policy proposal ...

(Bibb) County is looking into a so-called “blight tax,” which would drastically increase the property taxes on blighted properties across the county. Some blight taxes turn into a redevelopment credit, which allows property owners who fix up their land or replace the buildings to get a tax break.

Bibb County Chief Administrative Officer Steve Layson said the blight tax would tell neglectful property owners, “‘Your taxes are going up fourfold.’ That may force the property owner to do something with the property, or they may pay higher property taxes for two-three years and then decide to do something with it.”

I'm not ready to say 'sign me up' ... but I'm close. The Athens-Clarke County Commission is gearing up to address the more than 75 blighted properties in the community, and this is an interesting concept to consider. For starters, it has the ability of generating revenue during a time when pennies are going to be pinched, but also features both a stick and carrot when it comes to redevelopment.