Property at 1826 Callahan St. found in compliance; magistrate imposes $2,800 fine and records lien for past noncompliance

Magistrate Tiffany Sarto accepted Bay County code enforcement's recommendation on Sept. 18 to impose a $2,800 fine plus statutory interest for prior noncompliance at 1826 Callahan Street and to record abatement costs as a lien if necessary.

Senior Investigator Matt Strait presented the investigative record. The magistrate had previously found the property in violation on June 12 and directed abatement measures; photographs from the earlier hearing showed a double-wide mobile home with substantial junk, unscreened personal property, derelict vehicles and overgrowth. Strait testified that on Aug. 11 he conducted a final inspection and found the property in compliance after the property owner's granddaughter, Rebecca Lightford, said she and the tenant spent a weekend cleaning the site.

Code enforcement recommended the magistrate impose a $2,800 fine, plus statutory interest, and to record any abatement costs against the property and any other real or personal property owned by the respondent. The magistrate accepted the recommendation and recorded the finding that the property was in compliance as of Aug. 11 but that assessed fines and recording of liens were appropriate based on prior noncompliance and case history.

No one appeared at the final hearing to contest the recommended fine. The magistrate's order references the county's authority to assess abatement costs under the Uniform Assessment Collection Act and Bay County Code Chapter 21.