SOUTHPORT, NY (WENY) -- The town of Southport is the next municipality in Chemung County to consider taking steps to address homeless encampments.

In November, the city of Elmira passed a ban with a 5-2 vote on homeless encampments within city limits. Tuesday evening in Southport, board members discussed a similar local law for the town. Questions brought up by board members included the potential penalties for those violating the ordinance, and who would be responsible for the cost of cleanup. 

"We are aware of some homeless encampments in the town of Southport, some of the same things you would see with the city of Elmira; there’s excess garbage, sometimes there’s problems that happen with those encampments, so we do have some of that here as well and what’s why we want to address it," explained Town Supervisor Joe Roman.

In the city of Elmira, violators could now face fines ranging from $350 to $500 for the first offense, plus up to 90 days in jail. Repeat offenders could face fines from $750 to $1,000, and up to a year in jail. 

Elmira city leaders said those penalties would not be the first line of defense. Mandell said the first step would be to try to get individuals into housing. 

"We do not want to throw people that are homeless in jail. That's not our intent. We need to get them help. We need to get them into treatment. We've got to get them housed," Mandell told WENY news on November 18.

For Southport, the issue is not as prevalent, but it's something Roman said needs to be addressed. 

"What we did as a town, and I did talk to [Elmira Mayor] Danny Mandell, is we took the city of Elmira’s ordinance if you will, and we modified that to fit the town of Southport. So tonight, in the first meeting we finally had that in front of us in writing, some of the town board members had some comments and thoughts, and so what we’ll do is circle next month, with some of the additions and changes and hopefully be able to adopt it for next month and go to public hearing, with the idea that we’ll approve it finally in February, if all works out," said Roman.

The board will review the proposal's language as it's currently written, and give feedback to the town supervisor, and town attorney. A vote will be held at the town board meeting in January to set a date for a public hearing, where Southport residents can weigh in. Following the public hearing, the town board is expected to vote on the measure in February.