Charlotte County board moves to suspend or revoke permitting privileges for multiple contractors with expired permits

Charlotte County's Construction Industry Licensing Board spent much of its June 5 agenda on discipline cases tied to expired permits and incomplete projects, voting to accept staff recommendations that could revoke or suspend the ability of several contractors to pull permits in the county and forwarding cases to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

Tom Atkinson, a certified code compliance officer with Charlotte County, presented multiple cases in which contractors failed to renew or obtain final inspections on dozens of permits. He told the board that in one case, Bryson Jeffs (Source Energy LLC, case KCIL2400304) still had 23 expired permits after a final review. "Since he is not present, it is the staff's recommendation of Charlotte County licensing division that Bryson Jeff's permitting privileges and right to work as a contractor in Charlotte County be revoked," Atkinson said.

The board initially voted to accept staff's recommendation. Later in the meeting members debated the scope of disciplinary authority — whether the board could condition or suspend all permit-pulling privileges tied to an individual whose name appears on multiple licenses and permits. After legal guidance and discussion, the board reopened case CIL2400304 and voted to revoke Mr. Jeffs' permitting privileges in Charlotte County until he appears before the board, and to forward case materials to DBPR for possible state action.

Staff presented similar recommendations for other contractors: Brett Aaron Ferguson (case CIL-24-00322, license SCC131151644) faced a staff recommendation to revoke permitting privileges for failing to close multiple permits; the board accepted that recommendation. Tavares J. Davis was presented as having 23 expired permits tied to single-family projects, and staff recommended revocation of permitting privileges; the board voted to accept the recommendation.

For a case involving True Florida Construction LLC (listed in the file as Long with license CGC1524395), staff reported six expired permits after notices and recommended revocation of permitting privileges and referral to state regulators. The board discussed whether any action should extend beyond the specific license referenced in each case, with staff noting the board cannot directly cancel state-issued licenses but can restrict county permit-pulling privileges and refer state licensing questions to DBPR.

Board members said they want stronger enforcement tools and clearer procedures for when contractors operate under multiple company names or restructure business entities to avoid accountability. Staff agreed to circulate the county code's fine table and provide guidance on the scope of disciplinary authority.

The board's votes on these discipline items were carried by voice vote; in several instances the action included forwarding the case file to DBPR.