Special master issues fines and abatement deadlines across dozens of Citrus County code cases

Citrus County Special Master Christian Wong presided over a full docket of property-code hearings April 16, 2025, issuing a mix of continuances, abatement deadlines and fines across dozens of cases involving junk and debris, unlicensed or inoperable vehicles, unpermitted site work and deficient safety barriers at private pools.

The most immediate procedural action came in the Michael Arnovich matter (case CE20202042133). Wong said he will issue a written briefing order asking the parties to address whether material on the subject property encroaches on the right-of-way and continued the hearing to the May 20 session at the Inverness courthouse. "I'm going to issue a briefing order," Wong told the parties.

Why it matters: the hearing produced dozens of enforceable timelines and monetary penalties that will affect property owners across the county, including one-time fines, daily accruals for noncompliance and orders tied to obtaining permits. Several cases involved repeat violations or safety concerns (including a pool enclosure) that the special master treated more severely.

Key outcomes (selected highlights)

- One-time fine: Vernon Carpenter’s two cases for junk, debris and unlicensed vehicles were resolved with a one-time fine of $500 total rather than daily fines; the special master noted Carpenter claimed he sold the property immediately before the hearing and imposed a $500 one-time penalty. Code staff indicated the buyer had been notified of the existing violations.

- Briefing order / continuance: Michael Arnovich (CE20202042133) — hearing continued to May 20; special master to circulate a written briefing order asking parties to address the right-of-way/encroachment questions and relevant defenses.

- Repeat and safety cases: Gloria Thrush/Tierney’s properties (several cases) drew a mix of deadlines and higher fines because of repeat findings and a compromised pool enclosure. The special master set 15 days for the unlicensed/inoperable-vehicle violation and 30 days for the junk/debris violation; fines for failure to abate were set at $200 per day on those items. For the pool enclosure violation the master set 30 days and said the prospective fine for continued public-safety risk would be substantial.

- Commercial/unpermitted site work: Several unpermitted site-development matters drew civil penalties. Notably NonaVision Corp. (site work that cleared and graded a lot and set a foundation without final permits) was assessed a $5,000 one-time fine.

- Typical abatement ranges: Many junk-and-debris and vehicle cases resulted in abatement windows of 7 to 90 days with conditional daily fines commonly in the $50–$200 range per day if the respondent failed to bring the property into compliance. Examples: Rodney Worthington Jr. — 60 days to abate, $50/day thereafter; David and Tammy Rose — 7 days to abate, $50/day; Anthony Follis — 90 days, $50/day on each of two cases.

Votes at a glance (case outcomes and orders)

(The following list captures each formal order recorded in the hearing record; days refer to time given to abate from the date of the order unless otherwise noted.)

- CE20202042133 — Michael Arnovich: hearing continued; briefing order to be issued; next hearing May 20 at Inverness Courthouse. (Outcome: continued; note: special master to receive briefs within ~3 weeks.) - CE20205-110 — Rodney Worthington Jr.: consent agreement accepted — 60 days to abate; $50/day thereafter. (Outcome: granted.) - CE20250204 — David & Tammy Rose: consent accepted — 7 days to abate; $50/day thereafter. (Outcome: granted.) - CE202500126 & CE202500127 — Vernon Carpenter: one-time fine $500 (total across the two cases); county may pursue owner or new owner for compliance. (Outcome: one-time fine imposed.) - CE20205-342 — Horace and Tanya Davis: repeat violation found; $50/day for 3 days (total $150) imposed for the repeat junk/debris matter and warning of higher fines for future repeat violations. (Outcome: fine imposed.) - CE20204-1981 & CE20204-2019 — Anthony Follis (two cases): no contest; 90 days to abate each; $50/day thereafter on each case. (Outcome: granted.) - CE20241745 / CE20241785 & CE20241746 — Gloria Thrush (vehicle, junk, accessory/pool matters): unlicensed/inoperable vehicle — 15 days to abate, $200/day if not fixed; junk/debris — 30 days to abate, $200/day if not fixed; pool enclosure (accessory use) — 30 days, with a prospective $500/day fine if not corrected. (Outcome: deadlines and fines ordered.) - CE202500318 — Judy LaPuma: repeat violation; 13 days identified in record as days of violation; special master imposed $50/day for the 13-day interval (total $650). (Outcome: fine assessed.) - CE20250175 — Robert J. Cooper: 30 days to abate; $50/day thereafter. (Outcome: granted.) - CE202401850 — Manley J. Simming III: site development without permit — $1,000 fine assessed (one-time). (Outcome: fine assessed.) - CE20241263 — Levitt Properties LLC: accessory-structure/storage on vacant lot — 60 days to abate; $100/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE202402213 — Augustine J. Manila: 60 days to abate; $50/day thereafter. (Outcome: granted.) - CE2020Five-50 / CE2020Five-18 — Cheryl Zampich & Ronald Saffinfield Jr.: 90 days to abate; $100/day thereafter per violation. (Outcome: granted.) - CE20242001 / CE20242017 — Mary Putney-related matters: 30 days to abate each; $100/day if not abated. (Outcome: deadlines and fines ordered.) - CE2025302 — Kathy Saracci (repeat vehicle violations): 10 days to abate; $200/day. (Outcome: fine and short abatement period.) - CE20241189 — NonaVision Corp. (site development without permit): one-time fine $5,000 (order issued). (Outcome: fine assessed.) - CE202402095 — Elta Pierce: 30 days to abate; $100/day. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE202401898 — Marion D. Weeks: accessory-structure storage on vacant lot — 30 days to abate; $200/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE20242079 — Cynthia & Joshua Critchfield: 14 days to abate; $50/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE202500058 — Micah & Jessica Hirsch: 30 days to abate; $100/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE202402211 — Stacy Lee Johnson: 10 days to abate; $50/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE202500015 — Richard E. Moore: 30 days to abate; $100/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE2025-060 — Christine Brock: 30 days to abate; $150/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE20240168 — William Joe Young: 15 days to abate; $100/day thereafter. (Outcome: deadline and fine ordered.) - CE202500235 — Deneen Hefke (repeat): special master reviewed multiple time periods of noncompliance and set historic and prospective financial penalties; record reflects fines for specified prior periods and a substantially higher prospective daily penalty if violations continue (see order for full dates/amounts). (Outcome: historic and prospective fines ordered; details in written order.)

What the record shows about county authority and process

- The special master repeatedly reminded respondents that if a violation is found and not abated within the ordered time the county may record fines as liens and pursue foreclosure or money judgments as allowed under county rules and state law. Code staff repeatedly advised respondents that contacting code enforcement after abatement is required to trigger reinspection.

- Several respondents raised questions about notice procedures and how continuances are communicated; the special master acknowledged a briefing order would be issued in the Arnovich matter to ensure due process on the right-of-way/encroachment points.

Notable public comments and concerns

Neighbors and complainants described repeated nuisance behavior, transient occupants and safety concerns in a number of neighborhoods, including reports of standing water and mosquito issues tied to neglected pools, and complaints that transient activity and alleged drug-related conduct had made cleanups more difficult. The special master and code staff noted enforcement remedies are limited to the code toolset (fines, abatement orders, liens) and urged continued reporting to law enforcement and code compliance.

Next steps and follow-ups

- The special master said he will issue written orders for several matters (including a briefing order in the Arnovich case) and will circulate those orders promptly. Parties that bring properties into compliance must notify Code Compliance for reinspection, per the orders.

- The May hearing will be held at the Inverness courthouse; several continued matters are scheduled for that session.

Ending note

Special Master Wong’s oral rulings generated a mix of short abatement windows for lower-severity junk cases and higher-dollar penalties or shorter windows where he found either repeat violations or clear public-safety issues. Most orders require active follow-up by respondents and reinspection by county staff before fines may be suspended or removed.

Speakers quoted in this summary are identified in the hearing record and include Special Master Christian Wong and multiple Citrus County code compliance officers and residents who testified at the April 16 session. For the full text of orders, fines and abatement deadlines, see the written orders the special master will issue and the official posted minutes of the April 16 hearing.