City council has decided not to fulfill a request from a property owner for a write off of costs owed for a property cleanup.

Last year the City of Merritt cleaned up an unsightly property at 2000 Birch Ave. and invoiced the property owner a bill for nearly $29,300, which was transferred to property taxes. The property owner paid about $10,000 and requested the remainder be written off.

Coun. Dave Baker said allowing this write off would open the door for others to snub the city’s bylaws regarding unsightly properties.