Board reviews code‑enforcement backlog and options after staff report on fines and compliance
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Summary
County staff reported roughly $11M–$12M in outstanding code fines (snapshot varies), described magistrate authority to reduce fines for properties that achieve compliance, and outlined limited options for board‑level amnesty. Staff said foreclosure on non‑homesteaded liens is now authorized by prior resolution and work is under way to develop remedies and targeted ordinance language to encourage compliance.
County code compliance staff reported progress on longstanding code‑enforcement cases and outlined legal constraints for reducing magistrate‑imposed fines.
Tony Kornman, code compliance, told the board staff had presented approximately 122 cases to the magistrate this past year; when property owners achieved compliance the magistrate sometimes granted large reductions (examples cited averaged near 90% reductions on cases presented for reduction). Staff said the board cannot unilaterally cancel fines established by the magistrate, but can adopt ordinances and policies that encourage the magistrate to focus reductions on particular compliance outcomes. The county attorney confirmed an existing attorney‑general opinion limits direct board action to reduce magistrate fines.
Staff said the county can pursue foreclosure on non‑homesteaded liens under a resolution the board adopted previously and that roughly $3M–$4M of outstanding fines are on homesteaded properties while the remainder is on non‑homesteaded parcels. Commissioners and attendees urged more aggressive foreclosure and lien enforcement on non‑homesteaded properties to demonstrate seriousness about collections. Staff reported $85,047 in collections so far this fiscal year, about double a typical collection pace, and said it is developing an amnesty/encouragement program consistent with statutory limits and magistrate authority.