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County halts operations at Suwannee Iron Works; judge orders power restored while lawsuits proceed
Summary
Suwannee County issued a stop‑work order and shut power to Suwannee Iron Works after inspectors found unpermitted structures; the company sued and a judge ordered power restored for 30 days while litigation proceeds; county hired outside counsel and plans a parallel injunction.
Suwannee County building and code inspectors issued a stop‑work order and an order to shut electrical service at Suwannee Iron Works after officials determined buildings on the site lacked required permits, County Attorney Dan Morrison told the commission Aug. 5.
"Literally none of the buildings that were out there were permitted, either to be built at all or for electricity," Morrison said. The county’s building inspector and the fire marshal accompanied code enforcement on the follow‑up visit that prompted the orders.
Following the shutdown, the owner’s attorneys filed emergency papers seeking to rescind the stop‑work order and restore power. A judge, Judge Feagle, issued an injunction directing the county to restore power for 30 days pending further proceedings, Morrison said. Because of the emergency timing and pending litigation, the county retained outside counsel, Tom Reeves, to represent the county in the injunction matter.
Morrison told the board the county will also pursue its own emergency injunction related to alleged improper use of the property under the county zoning code. He said the county anticipates that Suwannee Iron Works will apply for a special permit to allow the operation to continue legally; when that permit arrives, Morrison said outside counsel Reeves will present staff’s position to avoid conflicts and to let Morrison continue advising the commission.
Morrison emphasized the public‑safety and legal concerns that prompted the initial inspections and orders and updated the board on the litigation status rather than seeking immediate action from commissioners.
