Ocala fines unlicensed contractor after work at East Silver Springs Boulevard site

The City of Ocala’s Contractors Board of Examiners and Appeals found Daryl Lee Kunkel guilty of performing contractor work without required registration or permits at a vacant commercial site at 1708 E. Silver Springs Boulevard and assessed monetary penalties totaling $409.75.

Dale Hollingsworth, the City of Ocala’s chief code official, told the board staff observed ongoing work at the site and confirmed with the building department that the work required a licensed contractor and proper permits. Hollingsworth said Kunkel was not registered with the state, did not have an active DBPR license or an active City of Ocala registration. Hollingsworth recommended the board assess $150 per violation (two violations) plus $109.75 in prosecution costs, for a total of $409.75, to be paid by May 2, 2025.

Hollingsworth said he saw an unmarked white truck and an unmarked cargo trailer at the site and that exposed boards shown to the board indicated work had been underway. He stated the property owner confirmed hiring Kunkel and that the owner told staff Kunkel was being paid $20 an hour. Hollingsworth said the owner also had consulted a licensed contractor, who told them no permits were required; Hollingsworth said that contractor apparently misunderstood the scope of the work.

Board member Shirley Wright moved to accept staff recommendations with the assessed amount of $409.75. The motion was seconded by board member Daryl O'Kane and carried unanimously.

The board’s order requires payment by May 2, 2025; the board record notes the respondents were in attendance but declined to speak at the hearing.

The case was listed on the contractors board docket as CON25-0016 and was prosecuted under city code provisions Hollingsworth cited to the board.