Council reduces lien at 3655 Flamingo Drive to $95,000 to preserve ward’s funds

The Vero Beach City Council voted unanimously to reduce the outstanding lien on 3655 Flamingo Drive to $95,000, aiming to preserve funds for the long-term care of the ward living at the property.

Police Chief David Currey reviewed a multi-year code-enforcement history tied to a stagnant swimming pool, septic violations and repeated enforcement proceedings; the report listed total penalties of roughly $181,011 and recounted sustained neighborhood complaints and police intervention. Attorney Andrew Bocchte, representing the estate’s representative and guardian, said corrective work — pool servicing, a new fence and septic servicing — occurred after the guardian was appointed and argued that reducing the lien would protect limited funds needed for the ward’s care.

Guardian Judy Mace described discovering stacks of unpaid mail and missed financial filings and said she had acted quickly to stabilize the ward’s situation and preserve assets for his care. Councilmembers debated who bore responsibility for the earlier failures to maintain the property and acknowledged the neighbors’ hardship. Mayor John Cotugno proposed reducing the lien by half; the motion was amended to set the remaining lien at $95,000, with Councilmember Vice Mayor Dingle seconding the amended motion. The roll-call vote was 5-0 in favor.

Council directed staff to implement the lien reduction per the adopted motion. The council record notes a pending sale of the property and referenced prior Code Enforcement Board proceedings dating back to 2020.