County Ends Code Enforcement Agreement Amid Controversy

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed two significant interlocal agreements affecting the town of Fort White, focusing on solid waste assessments and code enforcement.

The first topic addressed was an interlocal agreement regarding solid waste assessments. The town of Fort White has consented to allow the county to assess both residential properties and commercial accounts under the existing Waste Pro contract. This agreement resolves previous concerns about the assessment process, particularly regarding the inclusion of commercial accounts. The town must still adopt an ordinance to formalize this consent, which will enable the county to assess solid waste fees at the same rate applied to other areas in the county. The motion to approve the agreement was unanimously carried by the board.

The second issue involved the county's participation in code enforcement within Fort White. Recent complaints initiated by the town raised questions about the enforcement process, leading to a review of the interlocal agreement established in 2019. Under this agreement, the county provides code enforcement officers but operates according to its standard practices, which do not include initiating complaints administratively. The board discussed options to clarify the agreement or potentially terminate it, with one commissioner suggesting a motion to discontinue the interlocal agreement due to ongoing issues, including a lawsuit filed by a local business against the town regarding selective enforcement practices.

The board ultimately voted to discontinue the code enforcement agreement, which will take effect after a 180-day notice period. This decision reflects ongoing tensions between the town and local businesses, highlighting the complexities of municipal governance and enforcement practices.