Bay County special magistrate authorizes abatement, imposes fines or continuances for a string of code-enforcement cases

The Bay County special magistrate on Oct. 15, 2025, found a series of properties in violation of Bay County Code and authorized county staff or contractors to enter the premises to abate violations, imposed or confirmed fines and set follow-up dates for a number of cases heard at the Bay County Government Center.

The cases involved unsafe or blighted structures, derelict vehicles, junk and overgrowth. The magistrate repeatedly said county abatement costs and any imposed fines would become liens on the owners’ real and personal property under the Uniform Assessment Collection Act and chapter 21 of the Bay County Code.

Why this matters: County-authorized abatement can result in contractors removing structures or debris and creating liens that follow the property rather than only the current occupant. Residents and property owners at the hearing raised timelines, probate and possession questions, and several speakers said they were working to secure permits or contractors to remedy the problems.

The magistrate’s rulings and directions by case (addresses as recorded in the hearing):

2109 Bento Court — The magistrate noted a prior order requiring the respondent to remedy an unfit mobile home and accessory structures. Attorney Richard Schenck, representing property owner James Minshew, told the magistrate that “he has affirmatively signed a contract with MK Weber to get some engineering plans and start the abatement process.” The magistrate said that once a signed contract is in place he would not object to an extension for engineering and set a status return for Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. The magistrate directed staff to…