Board adopts ordinance to accelerate code-enforcement defaults and permit debt-collection; approves incentive to speed compliance

The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners adopted an ordinance Tuesday intended to speed enforcement of code violations, give staff new collection options and reduce administrative costs associated with default orders. In a separate vote the board approved a voluntary compliance program proposed by code enforcement to encourage quicker fixes and reduce special-master workload.

County Attorney John Jovan told the board Ordinance No. 2025-06 makes several procedural changes: it authorizes the clerk to enter default orders when a cited person fails to respond; it gives the board authority to contract with outside debt-collection agencies for certain outstanding county judgments; and it repeals an obsolete county code chapter related to cable television franchises. The ordinance also authorized staff to set up an “alternative prosecution” path—an administrative compliance-off ramp—so people cited for certain violations can correct problems quickly in exchange for reduced or waived fines.

After briefing and public comment, commissioners voted to adopt the ordinance by roll call (Ordinance 2025-06). The clerk recorded the roll call vote as unanimous. The ordinance will allow the clerk and staff to handle defaults more quickly and authorize the county to explore engaging private collection services for long‑outstanding judgments.

Code enforcement then outlined a separate but related compliance-incentive program. Manager James Terry said current practice — a $100 fine for many violations — too often fails to motivate property owners to remedy problems. The proposed approach raises the fine for selected, remediable violations to $500 but establishes “off‑ramps” for owners who come into compliance quickly: the board-approved plan reduces or waives the fine if property owners fix violations within defined windows after citation (for example, full waiver if corrected within 10 days; 50% reduction for days 11–15; 25% reduction for days 16–20). Terry said the goal is to encourage voluntary correction, reduce time on the special-master docket and save staff time and legal expenses.

During the meeting the board also considered a request from a property owner to remove a public nuisance abatement lien tied to a prior mowing/abatement. The owner explained the lien appeared on a title search after the family sold the house; the board denied the request, and commissioners advised the owner to pursue the title company/civil remedy.

Ending: Ordinance 2025-06 takes effect as provided in its text and gives staff new procedural tools; the compliance-incentive program was adopted by direction of the board and will be implemented by code enforcement under the county’s existing fee/penalty framework. The board instructed staff to report on program results and any recommended code adjustments in coming months.