Homestead special master cuts homeowner lien to $4,213.50, grants 30 days to pay

At the lien‑mitigation portion of the Nov. 20 hearing Special Master Michael Styles considered hardship and administrative offers and granted a substantial reduction for a homeowner (folio 10‑7916‑022‑0720). The homeowner, who described income hardship and first‑time noncompliance, had originally faced a lien in the tens of thousands of dollars; the special master reduced the amount to $4,213.50 and expressly provided 30 days to pay that mitigated balance.

The special master explained the limits of his authority under city code and that a further request for additional time or reconsideration can be made to the city council. He emphasized that failure to pay the reduced amount within the 30‑day window returns the matter to the original lien amount on the record. The homeowner was given instructions for how to submit a written request to the city manager’s office and to the clerk if they intended to seek council review.

The hearing also handled lien reductions for commercial folios (e.g., a reduction for Trezuno LLC to $34,720 with 30 days to pay) where counsel documented remedial action, permit pulls, or other mitigating circumstances. The special master noted that administrative reductions are bounded by the code’s minimum mitigation thresholds.