Code department says mitigation program closed with about $460,000 collected; future collection steps planned

Walton County code staff reported the mitigation program that ran June 1–September 30 had closed about 25 code cases and, as of the day before the meeting, had collected roughly $460,000 in code fines.

A county code official told commissioners the board had approved a new policy in November that gave staff direction to pursue additional collection measures; the mitigation program was intended to allow property owners time to come into compliance. "Through these, up to this point, as of yesterday, has settled about $460,000 in, code fines," staff said on the record. Staff also said a small number of additional invoices were pending and expected to close more cases before the program expiration on September 30.

The official explained that Florida law provides for code liens and that some earlier accounting confusion stemmed from differing interpretations of statutory timelines; code staff said code liens are governed by Florida statute chapter 162 and generally last for 20 years. Looking ahead, staff said that beginning in October properties that remain delinquent and meet the policy criteria will be forwarded to administration and legal for possible further collection measures, which could include foreclosure in limited circumstances for non-homesteaded parcels. Commissioners asked staff to maintain a tracker and to flag any cases nearing statutory expiration so the county does not inadvertently lose collectible amounts.