Special Magistrate Jennifer De Peschke on March 5 reduced the city’s Massey assessment for a North Fourteenth Street property owned by Tom DeBeck, setting a revised balance of $4,950 and giving the owner up to six months to pay.

City staff said the case began in July 2024 after notices and posting; a vendor cleared the lot in December and staff stopped fines at that time. City testimony documented a total balance of $8,800: $1,000 vendor fee plus a $100 administrative charge (set by city resolution), and $7,700 in daily fines. Staff characterized the gravity of the violation as “minor” and said the city had not received compliance from the owner prior to contracting the vendor.

DeBeck told the magistrate he had not received mailed notices because ownership and mailing-address records had been inconsistent (he cited different mailing addresses including “Plantation” and a Vero Beach PO box). He submitted documents during the hearing showing attempts to update addresses with the county property appraiser and asserted he had not received prior correspondence. Staff introduced certified-mail records and property-card copies showing the city mailed notices to the address of record and posted the property when mail was returned.

Magistrate De Peschke said she reviewed the vendor invoice, mailing efforts, and the respondent’s testimony. She described the $1,100 in vendor and administrative costs as nonadjustable and exercised discretion on the remaining $7,700. “I’m going to split the difference,” the magistrate said, and ordered $3,850 of the abatable $7,700 to remain. Combined with vendor and administrative costs, the total ordered was $4,950. The magistrate granted up to six months from the date of the order for payment; she also informed DeBeck of his right to appeal to the city commission.