Board adopts resolution to record lien over Ravenel parcel after enforcement hearing

The board held an administrative-penalty hearing over a Ravenel property owned by Reed Leasing Group and, following public comment and staff testimony, approved a resolution to record a lien to recover administrative penalties ordered by the hearing officer.

Matt Shor, identified in the meeting as the county planning and building official, told the board the hearing officer had found a public nuisance and ordered $17,500 in administrative penalties; interest accrued on the unpaid fines brought the total to $18,808.90. Shor said there has been no abatement and that staff mailed notices (initially first-class; the hearing-officer decision notice was sent certified).

Sam Ferrell, speaking for Reed Family Companies, said the company had not received early notices, asked how much of the total represented cleanup versus fines, and requested a continuance or waiver so the company could clean the property itself. "We had never received a notice...we had no idea about what was going on with this property until we received a notice that you guys were gonna have this hearing to discuss our $18,000 in the penalties," Ferrell said.

Board members discussed owner responsibility, the county’s notification process and the fact that the county’s estimated abatement cost so far was approximately $1,500–$2,000. A supervisor moved to receive the enforcing officer's report, conduct the hearing, and adopt the resolution ordering recordation of a lien; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote with all supervisors recorded in favor. The board instructed county staff that if the county must perform abatement, additional abatement costs would be liened as well.