Resident says $7,900 code-enforcement order was excessive; special master review underway

Brandon Brown addressed the Mexico Beach council during public comment to dispute a code-enforcement order he said totaled $7,900. Brown said he repaired a fence damaged by the October tornado and that fines accrued while he was attempting to coordinate with city staff. "We received an order yesterday that totaled $7,900," Brown said, adding he returned from out of state after learning of the order and completed repairs immediately.

Brown told the council he had an agreement with code enforcement to complete repairs by April 5, and he said Officer Alliance confirmed compliance the morning of March 19. He said the special master (Dana Moore) characterized an earlier missed hearing as an oversight; the case therefore sits with the special master rather than being decided directly by the council. Council members said they would contact the special master and get clarification on timeline and appeal options, but emphasized the council cannot overrule a special master’s administrative determination directly. One council member summarized: the special master’s order specifies that the fine is payable to the City of Mexico Beach and that an appeal would proceed to circuit court.