The Bay County Code Magistrate Hearing held on July 17, 2025, addressed several key issues regarding property compliance and associated fines. The meeting began with a report from code enforcement regarding a property owned by Patrick Campbell, who was present to discuss the fines assessed against his property for violations related to the storage of unused vehicles.

Campbell clarified that he was unaware of the ongoing enforcement actions due to a mailing address discrepancy. He stated that the address used by the county was not affiliated with him, which led to a lack of notification about the hearings. Campbell expressed his willingness to comply with the regulations and requested a reduction of the $700 fine, citing the misunderstanding as the reason for his absence at previous hearings.

The magistrate acknowledged Campbell's situation and noted that the property had since been brought into compliance. Code enforcement recommended that Campbell be ordered to pay $1,830 to cover the costs of abatement and enforcement, which would constitute a lien against the property. The magistrate agreed to reduce the original fine to $350, emphasizing the importance of updating the mailing address to prevent future issues.

The hearing then moved on to another case involving a property at 17924 April Avenue. Tim Justice, a senior investigator with Bay County code enforcement, presented evidence from a previous compliance hearing. The magistrate reviewed the case and noted that the respondent had failed to comply with earlier orders.

The meeting concluded with the magistrate urging all parties to maintain communication with code enforcement to ensure compliance and address any future concerns. The proceedings highlighted the importance of accurate property records and effective communication between residents and local government to uphold community standards.