Bay County hears code enforcement case on Cedar Bluff Road property violations

The Bay County Code Magistrate Hearing held on July 10, 2025, addressed several property code enforcement cases, focusing on compliance and penalties for violations.

The meeting commenced with a review of code enforcement case 20240727 concerning a property located at 8916 North Lagoon Drive. The magistrate noted that no one was present to speak on behalf of the property. Following proper notice of the hearing, the code enforcement team recommended that the respondent be ordered to pay a statutory interest amount of $13.04. Upon recording the final order in public records, costs levied against the respondent would constitute liens against the property, in accordance with the Uniform Assessment Collection Act and Chapter 21 of Bay County code. The magistrate accepted this recommendation and confirmed that the property was found to be in compliance as of March 28, 2025, concluding the discussion on this case.

The hearing then moved to code enforcement case 20250018, involving the property at 3919 Cedar Bluff Road. The magistrate swore in Miss Edwards, representing Kahane and Associates, PA, who clarified that her firm represented the bank, Lakeview Loan Servicing, and not the property owner. The code enforcement officer, Tim Justice, provided an overview of the situation, indicating that the bank had taken steps to address the property violations, including hiring a vendor to maintain the lawn. Miss Edwards confirmed that the bank complied with the magistrate's previous order regarding property maintenance.

The magistrate noted that any fines, totaling $575 plus statutory interest, would be directed against the property owner rather than the bank. This clarification was important for the record, ensuring all parties understood the implications of the compliance actions taken.

In summary, the hearing effectively addressed compliance issues for the properties in question, with clear communication regarding responsibilities and penalties. The next steps will involve monitoring compliance and ensuring that any outstanding fines are appropriately levied against the responsible parties.