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At Port St. Lucie enforcement hearing, several residents cite medical, financial hardship while magistrate orders fines and abatement
Summary
At the Dec. 10 special magistrate hearing, respondents described medical and financial hardship while the magistrate set deadlines, certified fines and authorized abatement in multiple cases.
During the Dec. 10 special magistrate hearing in Port St. Lucie several respondents who spoke to the court described personal hardship as a factor in delayed compliance with city codes.
Kimberly Bigelow told the magistrate she has been undergoing chemotherapy since May 2024 and that mounting co-pays left her unable to pay for repairs and vehicle work. She asked for more time; the magistrate acknowledged her circumstances but accepted the city's recommendation to certify fines for the period of noncompliance and to assess $411 in administrative costs, while explaining that if the property later comes into compliance the owner may seek lien modification or forgiveness under the city's procedures.
Another respondent, who identified himself as Felix (transcript shows the name "Felix Dio"), disputed the currency of the city's photographs and accused city officers of harassment, saying much of the evidence dated back several years. The city responded that more recent inspections (including photos dated Nov. 21 and Dec. 2, 2025) supported the current allegations; magistrate Davis ordered that the city address the record and, based on the evidence presented, certified fines and abatement relief where the violations remained.
In a separate case, respondent Matthew Peloton asked for an extension because of conflicting court obligations and medical recovery; Davis granted a continuance to Feb. 11, 2026. The magistrate flagged unsecured swimming pools as an immediate public-safety concern and said he would not grant extensions for pool-security violations.
The magistrate signed orders for cases heard and entered dozens of remaining matters into the public record with Dec. 17 compliance dates. Parties granted time were given specific future hearing dates; others face abatement activity or fines if they do not cure violations by the deadlines.
What to watch: Several respondents who received orders were given routes to seek lien modification or to present proof of compliance before fines are finally imposed.
