Citrus County special master issues deadlines, fines and continuances after October code-compliance hearing

Citrus County Special Master Christian Waugh heard more than two dozen code‑compliance cases on Oct. 14, 2025, at the Lecanto Government Building and issued a series of orders requiring property owners to abate violations or face daily fines. The session included routine "no contest" agreements, repeated‑violation fines, and several continued hearings where the special master said additional process was required.

Why it matters: The special master’s orders set concrete deadlines and liens that can affect property owners’ rights and property values across Lecanto, Floral City, Inverness, Crystal River and surrounding areas. Several cases also involved required hookups to the Floral City Water system and one raised a concern about how an existing injunction can affect a respondent’s ability to appear at a hearing.

Special Master Waugh opened the hearing by reminding attendees that most orders give owners a period to cure a code violation before fines begin to accrue and that unpaid fines may become liens on property. He also warned that parties have a right to appeal and urged respondents to seek legal counsel when needed.

Votes at a glance

Below are the cases called or resolved at the Oct. 14 hearing. Each listing gives the case number, respondent(s), the action ordered by the special master and any fine or deadline stated on the record. Where the transcript recorded only a proposed amount or a recommendation but not a final numeric amount, that is noted as “not specified.”

- Case 20251352 (Elizabeth Schmieder): continued at request of staff for medical reasons; hearing continued (no final order recorded at this session).

- Case 20251388 (Michael Arnovich / Novich): hearing initially addressed; special master noted prior findings but then continued the hearing to give Mr. Novich an opportunity to be heard after questions about an injunction and service (he reserved final ruling).

- Case 20251197 (Andrew Joseph Quintero): no contest; granted 60 days to abate; $100 per day thereafter if not brought into compliance.

- Case 20251402 (Wayne and Alyssa Bain): no contest; granted six months (180 days) to abate; $150 per day thereafter.

- Case 20250274 (Anton and Sabrina Bergenson): county sought a one‑time fine (county proposed…