A special magistrate recommended that the City of Deltona reduce a $1,900 fine to the city's documented enforcement costs after a HUD-subsidized property corrected an unpermitted mobility-chair installation and related electrical work 38 days after an earlier order.

The magistrate told the property representative she would "make a recommendation to reduce the lien to the city's costs," citing the owner's confusion and the property's role in providing affordable housing as reasons to mitigate the penalty.

City staff had recorded that the property failed to obtain the required permit for the mobility chair and associated electrical work under the city fire code (chapter 42, article 4) adopting the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The original order required compliance by Dec. 27, 2024; the city said the property did not come into compliance until 38 days later and that fines accrued to $1,900. Staff also calculated enforcement costs at $1,179.42 and recommended no reduction; the magistrate proposed reducing the lien to that amount.

The property representative said attempts to have an elevator/contractor complete the job had been delayed by others and that, once advised at the prior hearing, an electrical contractor obtained the necessary electrical permit and the property came into compliance. The representative also noted the site is HUD housing and that the management helps low-income residents.

The magistrate emphasized the recommendation is advisory and that the city commission will make the final decision on any lien reduction. The transcript shows the magistrate framed the recommendation as a partial reduction to the city's costs "because of the confusion that you had" and because there were no other outstanding violations on the property.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing; the magistrate issues a written order that will be provided to the city and mailed to the property representative and noted the property owner may appeal to circuit court under Florida Statutes section 162.11.

The magistrate instructed the record to reflect that staff costs were $1,179.42 and that the recommended reduced lien equals that amount; the city commission must adopt the recommendation before the lien amount is finalized.