Ocala reduces fine to $800 for Wire 3 LLC after sod entered storm drain; company to pay cleanup and prosecution costs

The City of Ocala found Wire 3 LLC responsible for discharging sod and dirt into a city storm drain during fiber installation work and ordered the company to pay the city’s cleanup and prosecution costs and a reduced fine.

Jeffrey Gilbo, the city’s environmental/code officer, described a citizen complaint and city response after workers reportedly pushed sod into a municipal drain at 2162 Northwest 23rd Loop. Public Works removed debris from the storm system and the city opened a code-enforcement referral for illicit discharge. The city cited its ordinance that prohibits throwing or otherwise discharging materials into the municipal separate stormwater system.

John Joynson, Wire 3’s senior vice president, said the company responded promptly after receiving notice, investigated the storm line with video equipment and found no obstruction remaining; he said the crew had been negligent but not intentionally violating city rules.

Magistrate Ryan Fong accepted the evidence and adopted staff recommendations but reduced the requested $1,000 fine to $800. The order requires Wire 3 to reimburse the city $68.32 for Public Works’ cleanup and $202.63 in prosecution costs; the magistrate warned that repeat violations could be treated as repeat offenses and carry higher penalties.

Joynson said the amount of debris visible in the photographs was minimal — largely displaced sod — and that Wire 3 had remediated the site and inspected the line. City staff said cleanup by Public Works was performed promptly after the discharge was reported.