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Bonita Springs reports near‑complete code‑enforcement compliance and a high emergency‑preparedness score
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Summary
Neighborhood Services Director Tony Backhurst reported roughly 34,000 code‑enforcement activities in 2025 (about 2,628 formal cases) with an overall compliance rate of 99%. He also reported a FROC pre‑PDQ score of 53/60 (potential 73/80 with PDQ submission), indicating strong readiness for hurricane season.
Tony Backhurst, director of Neighborhood Services and Emergency Management, presented the department's 2025 activity and emergency‑management update to the council, saying the department handled just under 34,000 enforcement activities across informal and formal channels.
"Our 2025 statistics show overall activities with just under 34,000, of which just under 19,000 were informal, and just under 15,000 were formal," Backhurst reported. He said the department recorded 2,628 formal cases and nearly 11,000 resulting inspections. Backhurst described a 99 percent overall compliance rate and said 25 properties reached the stage where liens were placed last year.
On process timing, Backhurst explained the statutory due‑process requirements under Florida Statute 162 and said the length of formal enforcement can vary: "Some of them can be 3 months. It can be 3 months up to... 10 to 14 month type time frame" to reach noncompliance stages in typical cases.
On emergency preparedness, Backhurst reviewed the state's FROC/DRA scoring system and said the city scored 52/60 for debris removal and 54/60 for emergency protective measures, giving an overall pre‑PDQ score of 53/60. He said submitting a post‑disaster questionnaire (PDQ) after a declared event could add 20 points, bringing the possible total to 73 out of 80.
Council members asked about common causes of noncompliance and how long enforcement steps take; Backhurst said Hurricane Ian‑related damage still affects some cases and the department uses liens and hearings as tools for persistent noncompliance.
Backhurst closed by saying staff will continue to pursue remaining FROC points before the March 31 deadline and will present more on emergency‑management planning before hurricane season.
