Bay County Special Magistrate Tiffany Sarga on Oct. 13, 2025 (hearing date recorded in transcript) accepted code enforcement recommendations across several cases, authorizing abatement or demolition, recording liens for abatement costs, and finding several properties in compliance.

Inspector comments and staff recommendations presented the following outcomes:
- 3134 B Street (case 20242505): Code enforcement reported the property owner had obtained a permit for an accessory building damaged by Hurricane Michael; the permit expires April 1, 2026, and inspections will extend as work progresses. The magistrate closed the case pending final permit/inspection.
- 13400 Timbercrest Road (case 20243122): Inspector Scott Thorpe described the site as having an “unfit unsafe mobile home, trash junk, unfit, unsafe accessory structure appliances and furniture.” The magistrate accepted staff’s recommendation to authorize county staff and contractors to enter the property, perform an asbestos survey and proceed with demolition and abatement if violations remain; costs will be recorded as a lien against the property pursuant to Bay County Code and the Uniform Assessment Collection Act.
- Parcel 00614-010-000 (case 202400890): Michelle (recorded as the respondent) described a rent-to-own dispute and said she had not received notices because another party had intercepted mail. The magistrate accepted code enforcement’s recommendation to abate as needed but explicitly held assessment of fines and fees pending the property’s title transfer and directed staff to reserve jurisdiction for a later final hearing.
- 6311 East Highway 388 (case 20241885): Staff reported derelict vehicles had been removed or registered; the magistrate accepted staff’s recommendation and found the property in compliance.
- 3742 Pipeline Road (case 20251168): Inspector Thorpe presented photos showing a heavily damaged single-family frame structure with vagrant activity and needles inside. Staff recommended abatement/demolition and lien recording; the magistrate accepted the recommendation and authorized entry for abatement. Staff noted the order included a large potential fine in the event of noncompliance (the order referenced a $500,000 fine in the file).
- 3817 Fredericksen Street (case 20251122): Staff documented unfit mobile home and accessory structures; the magistrate accepted code enforcement’s recommendation authorizing county entry, abatement, lien recording and contractor removal as necessary.
- 1695 Callahan Street (case 20243055): Staff reported derelict vehicles, junk and overgrowth remain after prior orders; the magistrate accepted the recommendation to authorize abatement and record costs as a lien and to assess fines per existing orders.
- 2038 Ballpark Road (case 20243523): Inspector Tim Justice testified the property had been previously cited but a reinspection on Sept. 8, 2025 showed the site in compliance. The magistrate found the property in compliance but accepted staff’s recommendation that a $575 fine for prior noncompliance plus statutory interest be imposed; staff noted the parcel sold at tax deed sale on Sept. 30, 2025 and that notices were sent to the tax-deed buyer.

In several cases the magistrate reiterated the distinction between abatement costs (which can be recorded as a lien and placed on the tax roll, typically spread over five years) and fines, which can accrue daily interest until paid. Staff repeatedly advised owners or their agents to update address information with the property appraiser and to stay in contact with inspectors to reduce interest or tax-roll exposure.

The magistrate accepted code enforcement’s recommendations on the cited properties and closed the hearing session for those cases; follow-up action — including asbestos surveys, pre-bid inspections and contractor abatement — was authorized where violations persist.