Board upholds suspension for contractor after testimony about low garage elevation

The Charlotte County Construction Industry Licensing Board voted to uphold staff’s recommendation to suspend contractor Jason A. Wood’s permitting privileges after reopening his case for additional testimony.

Tom Atkinson, a certified code compliance officer with the county, presented the staff recommendation that "the permitting privileges and right to work as a contractor in Charlotte County be suspended" because the contractor failed to complete and close permits listed in notices of violation. After Wood appeared and gave testimony, Ben Bailey, who previously served as community development director and building official, told the board that the approved plans required the structure to meet a local elevation standard: "it still needs to be 18 inches above the crown of the road," and that stamp appeared on the plans.

Wood told the board he believed the work had passed inspections and said the disagreement with the homeowner about surveys and driveway work prevented final closure. He described attempts to reach seasonal customers and said some permits had been renewed or reassigned, but staff emphasized unresolved elevation and permit-closeout problems. The board formally reopened the hearing, received the additional testimony and then made a motion "not to disturb the current recommendation." The motion carried on a voice vote.

The board’s action leaves the staff suspension recommendation in place and directs that the county transmit the case to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board if Wood does not comply with the orders for permit renewal and inspection. The board did not provide a separate roll-call tally in the transcript; the outcome was recorded by voice vote as an affirmation of the earlier recommendation.