[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6227886,"mediaKeyId","3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4","parentId",3478658,"title","St. Cloud magistrate approves multiple reductions to accrued code fines, including one over $24,000 recommendation to council","audioSeconds",91,"startMs",2799000,"endMs",2890000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4&start=2799&end=2890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4/thumbnail_2799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227886/St-Cloud/Osceola-County/Florida/St-Cloud-magistrate-approves-multiple-reductions-to-accrued-code-fines-including-one-over-24000-recommendation-to-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227886-21cddf515f4341b09c9314bd1740bbfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590985&Signature=UytRp6zIj1idMjju6z-fDna6AdgoByYhb5D8y4jbyMpEOPr9cCM7FkY5CeZpUCFyvFQ2N-n7Ezg-8AW9YlJRHNk99NmMsCD3d0PlMGlcXOpPfTnLRffNiiycdvGhytLL9OX0v-JXjczYlABtiAfBjbaerysB6~Xq0tr6BpU1a02y5vqUEPkWvDAcurO4AkiWLJVR-FJUPmhCbpQ3GvdorWkUxoK3WFNbirACuvge-LVqdBc~RIcxYpcX4sgub7vfIllEIL4w0KLiiEkZSJli-ZlY6lmsd8hop7-l~-eS1q2CHPJQJPc~-c9cpewMdvRTwf5n1AcGdTdXdMP1EKXH5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Cloud, FL","date","2025-05-24T01:21:13.183Z","article","The City of St. Cloud’s special magistrate approved a series of negotiated reductions to accrued code-enforcement fines at a March 19, 2025 hearing, including a recommendation to city council to accept a $24,392.90 settlement for a property with historically large accrued fines.

A city representative told the magistrate the largest reduction request related to case number 202374-748 for property at 4201 Lavender Way (owner listed as T H R Bridal L P). The city said the accrued fine had grown to more than $100,000 in prior accounting, and after negotiation with the city manager's office and the respondent the parties agreed to a reduction to $24,392.90 — characterized by the city as 20% of the accrued fine plus administrative costs — payable within 30 days of city council approval. The magistrate said he would enter an order recommending approval of that reduction to the council.

The magistrate also approved negotiated reductions on multiple other cases. Four consolidated cases involving Akshar Conje LLC (addresses listed in hearing materials as 4002/4002 Thirteenth Street and related files) were reduced to amounts between $466.30 and $1,289.85 depending on the docket and whether the case was a repeat violation; the reductions reflected negotiated percentages (typically 10%, higher for a repeat violation at 20%). Additional reductions approved included case 2024-403 (a repeat violation) and case 2024-870, which were reduced to $4,557.96 and $732.88 respectively; and case 2024-1406 (828 Wisconsin Avenue) reduced to $798.77 under the negotiated settlement.

The magistrate stated on the record: “Based on the presentation by the city, I will enter an order recommending approval of a reduction amount of $24,392.90 if paid within 30 days of the city council approval of same,” and he entered written-order directives consistent with the agreements presented. For the smaller cases the magistrate said he would enter separate written orders that reflect each settlement’s payment deadline and conditions.

City staff told the magistrate the reductions were the result of negotiations between the respondents and the city manager’s office and that the reductions would be final upon payment under the terms presented to the magistrate (for the largest case, contingent on city council approval). The magistrate approved the settlements as presented and directed that written orders be prepared for each case.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of St. Cloud, FL Code Compliance Magistrate Meeting 3/19/25","oneSentenceSummary","The special magistrate approved settlement reductions to accrued fines for several properties, including a recommendation that the city council accept a $24,392.90 reduced amount for a case that had accrued more than $50,000 in fines if paid within 30 days of council approval.","taxTitle","St. Cloud, Osceola County, Florida","taxId",4583,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227891,"Magistrate gives Grape Avenue owner until May 30 to fix hazards; delays cost payment to June 30",950,1743000,2693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4&start=1743&end=2693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4/thumbnail_1743000.jpg","/articles/6227891/St-Cloud/Osceola-County/Florida/Magistrate-gives-Grape-Avenue-owner-until-May-30-to-fix-hazards-delays-cost-payment-to-June-30","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227891-3ab70089a09acc965dd70f4ffc387600/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590985&Signature=CywTAk2KoqLoQrFcxrnS3lO~GwPDLCszx5GgvP-zDMQil378HnDOFvJTZ1mURb47cED8D4icbLZ42ntoAwnx0dfIcjRaQI5ngVGI4JV4MW1Yj60hrj6M1caz2cfWQyx4b8CXsaY2FiNGcsb84kElc3O0ewb8bUz1f5x4eP01ejaUABJkrogOV8JGsRFG6CXY09rc3MHZagR1ez6NH-0-7BARIS7jvXmjmpDEsgHklinnByHE04SlxsdwU53BbdYTW5iSy4gpfWsojyDK-t29rNf8FPwgVvppvZds2NjteBqi4UZ9gwv12n9njZ3kAFxYsp~-40ipbpFKRPgex-w4wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Special Magistrate Drew Smith on March 19, 2025, granted property owners at 705 Grape Avenue additional time to cure multiple violations, setting May 30 as the final compliance date and postponing payment of the city’s administrative costs to June 30 to give owners funds to complete repairs.

April Bennett, code enforcement officer, told the magistrate inspectors responded Jan. 3 after the St. Cloud Police Department requested code enforcement assistance following a search-warrant execution. Bennett described broken windows, boarded doors, plumbing leaks, electrical hazards created by multiple extension cords and accumulation in the rear yard; she entered photographs and notices into the record and stated that, to date, there had been no permitting recorded for replacement windows discovered on site. Bennett recommended an April 18 compliance date and $329.77 in administrative costs.

Respondents Shannon Hallas (identified on the hearing record as the property owner) and Robert Morris spoke to the magistrate. Hallas described efforts to remove debris and repair windows and said the work was constrained by limited income and the need to obtain permits. Smith noted progress on debris removal and repairs but expressed concern that a 30-day window would not be sufficient. He said he intended to allow the owners time to secure funds and permits and told them: “I’m looking at May 30 for compliance on everything. But if you're not in compliance on everything, what that means is on, June 1, $250 a day will run for each day that stays out of compliance.”

Smith also ordered the respondents to pay administrative costs of $329.77 but delayed the payment deadline to June 30, saying he wanted the owners to prioritize getting the property into compliance. The magistrate instructed the respondents to arrange early reinspection with code enforcement so work can be verified before fines begin to accrue.

Bennett additionally noted she had opened a separate case for alleged work done without permits (window installation), but that case was not presented at the March 19 hearing. The magistrate’s oral rulings will be issued in a written order that will include the compliance deadline of May 30, the $329.77 administrative cost due June 30, and the $250-per-day fine that would begin June 1 for any remaining violations.","At a March 19 St. Cloud hearing the special magistrate set May 30, 2025, as the final compliance date for violations at 705 Grape Avenue, delayed the administrative cost payment to June 30, and warned of $250-per-day fines starting June 1 if the property remained noncompliant.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227895,"Magistrate orders compliance dates, daily fines if unmet for 1233 Hancock Circle property",682,979000,1661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4&start=979&end=1661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4/thumbnail_979000.jpg","/articles/6227895/St-Cloud/Osceola-County/Florida/Magistrate-orders-compliance-dates-daily-fines-if-unmet-for-1233-Hancock-Circle-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227895-e3ccd80d19cd339ffa7bf971c5b05aca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590985&Signature=fnHgCPWcn7fviES8PguKmkBltOfKVYqpcYjlO92Ph6X20ZQ8f68fbaK2jhyVHR-uTJ32iwub-W1Ph3ZYrHES6Qj~eQeSkbya-K3EVSvUPctK6d9cmP6B2QhqQYtRvEwUmUY93Ncb1lXdEFNbZYOkeZqYbLhAT5X8t5uVxJPw6M2My~cYw~4rKwylP6EIgbYCjuNlurWpQ7cznETRLKICs7ViL0qpO9J6gML1L2n0umgDonc2RpAG7CAlIHZHJH8Gud2rtYpl3JPNPkuG6ep0jQ-OmakbF~Hri33PJM6EBKYikgMGjol~ZGwIyXm9xMylIzdmJXln-0dubDglq7TU3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On March 19, 2025, Special Magistrate Drew Smith found the owner of 1233 Hancock Circle in St. Cloud in violation for allowing abandoned vehicles to remain on the property and for maintaining a structure in disrepair, and set compliance deadlines with financial penalties for missed deadlines.

April Bennett, a city code enforcement officer, presented the case and entered notices, photographs and a statement of violation into the record. Bennett told the magistrate inspectors received a complaint in October 2024 and documented abandoned vehicles, tree debris and missing siding and damaged porch pillars in multiple reinspections and photographs through March 2025.

Smith said he would order compliance for the abandoned vehicle by March 31, 2025, and ordered that if the vehicle issue was not corrected by that date a $50-per-day fine would begin to accrue. For the structural maintenance — missing siding and damaged porch pillars — Smith set an April 18 compliance deadline and stated that if the issues were not corrected by that date a $250-per-day fine would be assessed until compliance. He also ordered the respondent to pay administrative costs of $378.41 within seven days of the written order.

Bennett told the magistrate that at times the property owner communicated plans to remove debris and to engage a contractor for repairs and that inspectors verified partial compliance on some items (for example, removal of tree debris at one reinspection) while other items remained outstanding. The magistrate’s orders reflected those mixed compliance findings and imposed staggered deadlines tied to the categories of violation.

The magistrate indicated his oral rulings would be formalized in a written order that will list the compliance dates, daily fine amounts, and payment instructions for administrative costs. The hearing record shows no respondents present for this case; the magistrate entered the violation findings based on the city’s evidence.","The special magistrate found the owner of 1233 Hancock Circle in violation for property maintenance and abandoned vehicles, ordered administrative costs of $378.41, set an initial compliance deadline of March 31 for vehicles and April 18 for structural repairs, and established daily fines for noncompliance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6227899,"Magistrate finds St. Cloud property at 3340 Cypress Pointe Circle in violation for abandoned vehicles; orders $273.77 in costs",822,80000,902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4&start=80&end=902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3478658-e2fe5a96c52d44d9d860fae37da13ab4/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6227899/St-Cloud/Osceola-County/Florida/Magistrate-finds-St-Cloud-property-at-3340-Cypress-Pointe-Circle-in-violation-for-abandoned-vehicles-orders-27377-in-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227899-9819e7b33d648401a7d71b794649465a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590985&Signature=J9G8dUIDm~GKwofbZ8XSeuD25LYN-9Uel43Blt2Ykb~zfiTzB3-PTk~xgQj8aCGkVXluuYA8NjPEuG7BOmbmEe9Ax7~KJQU1NEh5gdAeKevM6ecOqDRaE~5fvQEA39I7wuc0c0gc6wUyKbvl-zG5AmNoV6emLoVsBTBKdEI4oZJ--pe~FW-9eSJhd6~ThAGRfxvEt~gMZpXNSYzyKs-X90qZoGAmR0y2lyCFGqQb0A3tuFe4zkCWd~9gH1JupCFRZ0XxOXguoc7tia1hwHrn7dZqxarvxxRGCyIFkuaKbxyfw-KPhXL9fR9AGlBo12ak5anM4WmY-mF9NZbGNeg48g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Drew Smith, the special magistrate presiding at the City of St. Cloud hearing on March 19, 2025, found the respondent for 3340 Cypress Pointe Circle in violation for allowing abandoned or unregistered vehicles to remain on the property and ordered the respondent to pay $273.77 in prosecution costs within 30 days of the magistrate’s written order.

The city’s case was presented by Eric Cole, code enforcement supervisor, on behalf of Code Enforcement Officer April Bennett. Cole said the initial complaint was received Dec. 20, 2024, and that inspections and multiple mailed notices documented a vehicle without a current registration tag and areas of high grass and weeds. Cole said inspectors photographed the conditions and that the city was seeking recovery of administrative costs incurred to bring the matter before the magistrate.

Smith opened the record to respondent testimony and an interpreter. After hearing from the respondent’s representative, Smith said, “Based on the evidence testimony provided, I'll find in favor of the city, find that the respondent was in violation for allowing abandoned or unregistered vehicles to be parked on the property,” and ordered the $273.77 cost recovery to be paid within 30 days. Smith also warned that any future violations of the same code section within five years would be treated as repeat violations.

City staff had documented a timeline of mailed notices, reinspections, and photographs from late December 2024 through March 2025 that showed the vehicle and related violations were observed on multiple dates; a final reinspection at the owner’s request showed the property was brought into compliance on the day of that reinspection. The city nonetheless requested a finding of violation and recovery of costs for prosecution, which the magistrate granted.

The magistrate’s oral rulings will be reduced to a written order that will list the deadlines and payment instructions for the administrative costs. The hearing record shows the city did not seek monetary fines in addition to the cost recovery for this matter.","A St. Cloud special magistrate found the owner of 3340 Cypress Pointe Circle responsible for allowing abandoned/unregistered vehicles on the property and ordered payment of $273.77 for prosecution costs within 30 days of the written order.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Cloud magistrate approves multiple reductions to accrued code fines, including one over $24,000 recommendation to council

Magistrate gives Grape Avenue owner until May 30 to fix hazards; delays cost payment to June 30

Magistrate orders compliance dates, daily fines if unmet for 1233 Hancock Circle property

Magistrate finds St. Cloud property at 3340 Cypress Pointe Circle in violation for abandoned vehicles; orders $273.77 in costs