The governing body of the City of Burkburnett shall have the power to require the filling up, drainage and regulating of any lot or lots, ground or yards, or any other places in said city which shall be unwholesome, or have stagnant water therein, or from any other cause be in such condition as to be liable to produce disease; also to cause all premises to be inspected and to impose fines on the owners of houses under which stagnant water may be found, or upon whose premises such stagnant water may be found and to pass such ordinances as it may deem necessary for the purposes aforesaid and for making, filling up, altering or repairing of all sinks, and privies, and directing the mode and material for constructing them in future, and for cleansing and disinfecting the same; and for cleansing of any house, building, establishment, lot, yard or ground from filth, carrion or impure or unwholesome matter of any kind; also to require the owner of any lot or lots within said city to keep the same free from weeds, rubbish, brush and any and all other objectionables, unsightly or unsanitary matter of whatever nature, and in the event such owner fails or refuses so to do; within ten days afer notice in writing, or by letter addressed to such owner at his post office address, or by publication as many as two times within ten consecutive days, if personal service may not be had as aforesaid, or the owner's address be not known, said city may do such work or may cause the same to be done and pay therefor and charge the expenses incurred in doing or having such work done or improvements made to the owner of such property, as herein provided; and to punish any owner or occupant violating the provisions of any ordinance so passed, as aforesaid; and the governing body of the City of Burkburnett shall also in addition to the foregoing remedy, have the power to cause any of the improvements above mentioned to be done at the expense of the city, on account of the owners, and cause the expense thereof to be assessed on the real estate, or lot or lots upon which such expense is incurred; and, on filing with the County Clerk of Wichita County, Texas, a statement by the Mayor or City Health Officer of said city shall have a privileged lien thereon, second only to tax liens and liens for street improvements to secure the expenditures so made, and ten percent interest on the amount from the date of such payment. For any such expenditures, and interest, as aforesaid, suit may be instituted and recovery and foreclosure had in the name of the City of Burkburnett in any court having jurisdiction; and the statement so made, as aforesaid, or a certified copy thereof, shall be prima facie proof of the amount expended in such work or improvements.
(Adopted May 8, 1923)