Escambia County board approves multiple contractor license requests, defers one request and pauses reinstatement while appeal proceeds

The Escambia County Competency Board approved examinations or reciprocity for multiple contractor applicants, deferred one application pending additional documentation, and declined to act on a permitting‑reinstatement request because an appeal is pending in circuit court.

Board members voted unanimously to approve applications from Bobby Brock (examination for building contractor), Vonjay Hall (master plumber with gas exam), Steven Andrews (reciprocity for a roofing license from Santa Rosa County), Casey Houston (reciprocity for a residential contractor license), and James Vournas (reciprocity for a marine contractor license). The board deferred action on one applicant seeking a general‑contractor examination and did not take any action on a request by James B. Freeman to reinstate permitting privileges because a final order related to his case is under appellate review.

The approvals followed staff recommendations and were typically made by motion with votes taken by raised hands. For each unanimous approval the board recorded eight members present at the start of the meeting.

Several applicants provided details the board discussed when considering experience and documentation. Vonjay Hall told the board he has about "7 years, 5 months, and 22 days of experience" working under a licensed holder and said, "I love plumbing. I love everything about plumbing." Steven Andrews told members he had passed the Santa Rosa County roofing exam and business/finance testing and argued the Santa Rosa test bank is the same as Escambia County's, saying, "I just feel like I have all 3 of the qualifications that meet for your city ordinance." Board members pressed Andrews and other applicants for documentation showing hands‑on experience, verification of insurance coverage and whether self‑verification or prior licensure met Escambia County requirements.

On the general‑contractor applicant, staff presented documentation that the applicant had about "5 years, 10 months, and 13 days" of experience working under a license holder. Board members said the general‑contractor classification in Florida covers a broad scope and asked for more detailed, job‑by‑job descriptions and clearer verification of managerial duties before approving examination eligibility. The board directed staff to allow the applicant to provide additional supporting documentation and to return the item to the board at a future meeting.

The board also considered an application from James B. Freeman to reinstate permitting privileges after he submitted restitution payments totaling $263,257.44 for two case numbers (230670COM and 2312123COM). County legal staff told the board a final order from April 9, 2024, is currently under review in circuit court and that, under Florida appellate procedure, "you no longer have concurrent jurisdiction to make any actions on that final order" while the appeal is pending. Board members said they could not act on the reinstatement until the appellate court divests jurisdiction, or until Freeman's attorney withdraws or resolves the appeal; they discussed the option of considering the matter at a special meeting only if the court action is resolved and appropriate documentation is provided.

Board staff also reported that four current board members are at the end of their terms and are seeking reappointment; that appointment item will go before the Escambia County Commission on Sept. 16.

The meeting record shows staff relied on applicant affidavits, prior county and out‑of‑state licenses, and submitted certificates of insurance; in several cases, board members asked staff to verify that submitted policies did not contain roofing exclusions or other gaps in coverage.

The board adjourned after completing the applicant reviews and noting there were no other agenda items.