The City of Cocoa Beach held a Special Magistrate meeting on January 9, 2025, focusing on code enforcement issues, particularly concerning a significant lien against a resident's property. The meeting began with the resident expressing frustration over the lack of communication from the city regarding the lien, which he claimed he was unaware of until he discovered it himself. He argued that the city failed to notify him adequately, suggesting that a letter should have been sent after six months to a year of non-compliance.

The resident detailed his struggles over the past six years to address the situation, emphasizing the burden of a $98,000 fine for code violations that he believed should only amount to $35,100. He highlighted his financial difficulties, exacerbated by medical issues, stating that he relies on Social Security and has incurred over $1 million in medical expenses due to heart surgeries.

Following the resident's testimony, city representative Miss Crawford presented the city's position. She explained that the lien, which had accumulated to $97,255.55 due to daily fines since August 2016, was excessive. The city proposed to forgive the lien entirely, except for administrative costs totaling $2,199.52, which had accrued since the case began.

The magistrate allowed for questions and clarifications, emphasizing the importance of understanding the city's proposal. The meeting concluded with the magistrate considering the city's request for a lien reduction, reflecting on the lengthy history of the case and the financial implications for the resident. The outcome of the meeting remains pending, with the magistrate expected to issue a decision on the proposed lien reduction in the coming days.