Bay County magistrate orders cleanups, places liens and reduces fines across multiple code-enforcement cases

Bay County Special Magistrate Bill Lewis reviewed a slate of code-enforcement cases in July 2025 and issued a mix of compliance orders, abatements and fines, and several reductions in long-standing penalties.

The magistrate found violations ranging from junk, derelict vehicles and overgrowth to unfit or unsafe mobile homes. For properties where the county contracted abatement, Lewis ordered that the costs and fines be recorded as liens against the parcels. He also granted multiweek timelines for several owners to obtain permits, demolish unsafe structures or complete repairs.

The most significant monetary actions included orders that property owners pay abatement costs and fines that will be recorded as liens: a final order for 7629 Santa Rosa Avenue assessed $7,297.12 in county abatement costs plus a $1,200 initial fine; 7325 Helmage Avenue was recorded at $6,073 in abatement/incidental costs plus a $1,000 fine; 8127 Cluster Road was assessed $3,912 for abatement plus a $1,000 fine; and 7139 Brett Road was entered with $300 in abatement costs plus a previously assessed $700 fine. The magistrate said each amount will draw statutory interest from the date of recording.

In a tax-deed–related matter (17517 Center Drive), a purchaser, Gabriel Stefani, asked the magistrate to waive a previously assessed $10,000 fine and related interest. Lewis declined to waive the full amount but agreed to reduce the outstanding fine to $5,000; Stefani indicated he would pay the reduced…