Martin County magistrate enters orders, grants continuances and reduces lien at Dec. 17 hearing

A Martin County code enforcement magistrate presided over a full docket on Dec. 17, 2025, hearing testimony from county investigators, property owners and family representatives and entering a mix of agreed orders, continuances and one substantial lien reduction.

The hearing produced a common pattern: county investigators introduced photographs and notices of violation showing overgrowth, trash or outdoor storage; respondents either agreed to stipulations, promised to clean up by a deadline, or were continued to a later hearing date. The magistrate repeatedly warned that failure to comply would trigger a $100-per-violation-per-day fine and that the county sought $575 in costs for each hearing unless otherwise noted.

Most prominent among the dispositions, nuisance-abatement staff and the magistrate accepted an agreed reduction of an outstanding lien in the Lewis matter. Rachel Spradley said the Lewises had brought their property into compliance and offered to pay $2,310 to resolve an outstanding fine that previously totaled $23,100; the magistrate entered the agreed order reducing the lien to $2,310.

Cases resolved by stipulation or order - EF2025080782 (Ronald W. Cullum, 13550 SE Ranchland Ave, Hobe Sound): Investigator Kelly Switzer testified she photographed multiple commercial vehicles and equipment on the property. Switzer told the magistrate that the owner had signed a stipulated agreement and that the agreed $350 fee had been paid. The magistrate entered an agreed final order directing compliance by March 31, 2026, and warned that a $100-per-day fine would accrue after that date if violations continued.

- ENF2025100346 (Clifford M. Johnson Sr. Estate, 5307 SE Isabelita Ave, Stuart): Investigator Maria Espaillat testified to high grass and scattered items observed in October 2025 and again on Dec. 16. Family members (Jeanne Carr and Elton Johnson) described limited tools and recent cleanup efforts; Carr said her son "finally made it" last night and they had taken photos that morning. The magistrate continued the matter to Jan. 21, 2026, to allow a walk-through with county staff and time for compliance, with the magistrate noting there would be no fine if the property were brought into compliance by that date.

- ENF2025090063 (54 63 LLC, 5279 SE Izabaleta Ave, Stuart): Investigator Espaillat introduced photographs from Sept. 3 and Dec. 16 showing high grass, trash and concrete pieces. Patrick Martin McCormick, who identified himself as the creator of 54 63 LLC, said he had not seen an earlier warning but pledged to "clean up the property" within the month; the magistrate ordered compliance by Jan. 30, 2026, and assigned $575 in hearing costs.

- ENF2025090767 (Rosa Ford Jackson, 8709 SE Comas St, Hobe Sound): Kelly Switzer testified to overgrowth at the fence line and presented photos from Sept. 30 and Dec. 16. Jackson said she "had no idea" the county was referring to that specific fence-line area and described hiring a landscaper and recent hospitalization. The magistrate continued the case to Jan. 21, 2026, without imposing fines if the cited area is corrected by then.

- ENF2023110300 (Paul Scott Bernard, 2590 SE Penny Lane): County photographs showed trash under a carport and a broken front window; Bernard pled no contest to storage and trash allegations but disputed the broken window, saying it was caused years earlier by groundskeeping. The magistrate accepted exhibits 1–10, ordered compliance by Jan. 30, 2026, and awarded $575 in costs; the magistrate also set the $100-per-violation-per-day penalty for noncompliance.

- ENF202509069201 (HSBC Mortgage Corporation, 18230 SE Ridgeview Dr, Tequesta): Investigator Switzer described a retaining wall in disrepair that was pushing against a neighbor’s fence; county photos and prior demolition activity were presented. The magistrate accepted county exhibits and ordered HSBC to comply by Jan. 30, 2026, with a $100-per-day fine for continued violation and $575 in costs.

Other dispositions - ENF2025090586 (Norman and Raylan Cooglin): The respondents entered a stipulation, paid $350, and agreed to comply by Jan. 30, 2026, for remaining trash and pool violations.

- EF2025080060 (David D. Wright Sr. Estate): The magistrate granted an extension to Feb. 28, 2026, to obtain required permits and to complete exterior repairs; the county signed the stipulation.

- ENF2023110300 (Lewis lien reduction): The magistrate entered an agreed order reducing the lien from $23,100 to $2,310 after staff confirmed compliance and a payment offer.

Representative quotes and clarifications - Investigator Kelly Switzer on the Cullum stipulation: "the agreed fees of $350 have been paid in full." (Switzer) - Patrick Martin McCormick on cleaning 54 63 LLC’s property: "I plan on cleaning up the property." (McCormick) - Rosa Ford Jackson on her confusion about the violation area: "I had no idea what she was talking about." (Jackson) - Paul Scott Bernard on the broken window: "I'd like to plead no contest with the exception of the broken window." (Bernard)

Next steps and enforcement reminders The magistrate repeatedly encouraged respondents who receive NOVs to contact code enforcement immediately to discuss stipulations and avoid higher costs. Many orders set a Jan. 30, 2026, compliance deadline (unless otherwise continued) and warned that a $100-per-violation-per-day fine and $575 hearing costs may be assessed if respondents fail to comply. The magistrate adjourned the hearing and set the next session for Jan. 21, 2026.