ELBERTA, Ala. — The Elberta Town Council has yet to find a solution to the town’s vacant buildings.

During Tuesday’s workshop, the council revisited last month’s suggestion by Councilman Michael Hudson to look into the feasibility of passing a tax on buildings left vacant for extended periods of time.

“I think we really need to consider the ramifications of that,” Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Hamby said. “I’m concerned it might discourage new buildings from coming if surrounding neighbors don’t have that.”

Councilman Don Koontz offered an alternative suggestion.

“One of the things municipalities are doing now is establishing ordinances,” he said. “You establish fees for various things.”

Koontz listed ordinances that pertained to fire protection and failure to maintain the front façade of buildings situated on a main byway.

“That’s an alternative,” he said.

“Something like that would have no direct negative impact,” Hamby said.

As previously reported, Hudson brought the issue to the council last month. At that time, he pointed out that several buildings in the town remain vacant, causing a blight to the area and spurring Elberta Police to spend extra time monitoring them.

Upon further discussion, the council agreed to consider researching the issue.