HomeMy WebLinkAboutLevying Taxes-1991 � y� x
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White has suggested the city rewrite several codes,toughens era!
others and change its billing system to allow fines to be collected.
City wants its fines levied — quickly
❑Forget the long deadlines. Winter Currently,cede violators are even deadl to
comply.If the deadline passes,the owners or oc -
Springs may make code violators pay cupants muat appear befere the city's code en-
their fines immediately. forcement beard. The board meets six times a
year and can levy a fine of up to$250 each day a
By Elaine Bennett violation isn't corrected. Repeat violators face a
$500-a-day fine.
CF 1W 9en . Few cases ever go before the code board, but
some cases have and fines have been levied. In
W! ¢WSPftINCS—Residents and business most eases fines are paid and violationsare cor-
owners in Winter Springs,beware! - meted. ,,.
City commissioners want more restrictive When they aren't — either because the owner
codes and quicker punishment for those who refused to do so or because the owneeoouldn
continue to ignore them found—the city has a right by
Instead of waiting weeks or months for the a lien against the property The "have
city's code enforcement board to levy fines,corn- to be paid before the pc coril4
missioners want fines to be levied inunediatety. City commissioners it
"People e pay traffic tickets immediately or go to might take years to fines ' r. i D 9
court and face time in Jail," said Commissioner procedure.
John Langellotti. Re and others have questioned In response, they have suggested. the ex-
why a similar system can't be used to enforce Pings s 9 FINES,I l l
codes in the city.
Winter Springs may fine
code violators quickly
common vlolatl . ; FINES from I-1
isting codes be revised so officers
Violators who don't comply can issue a ticket to violators,who
with city codes within a given would pay a fine immediately or
deadline will be ordered to ap- face harsher penalties. Seminole
pear before the code enforce- County commissioners recently
ment board. Board members asked their staff to draft a similar
can levy a fine of up to$250 for law.
each day a violation continues. Code Enforcement Officer AI
Those who continue to ignore White recently suggested that sev-
codes can be fined up to $500 eral broad and outdated codes also
a day. If a the Isn't paid, a lien be rewritten and that others be-
could be placed against the come more restrictive. He said a
property. new billing system also would be
• Disabled vehicles are ve- required to collect fines that
hides without a tag, with an ob- might be levied
solete tag or in need of repair, White, who was hired Jan. 1,
'including a flat tire. Vehicles said he has been flooded with
must be operational and have a calls from residents asking that
currant tag. Owners In violation violations in their neighborhoods
have 48 hours to comply after,a be corrected. -
warning Is served. So far, his responses to those
Owners of property on which calls have been successful.
automobile parts and/or other Since White was hired, he has
household Items are left in a issued hundreds of warnings to
yard can be served a warning home,property and business own-
for littering or creating a nui- era who violate the codes by not
i`sane. cutting their grass; leaving junk
■ Unkempt property is tall cars and trucks in their yard; ne-
grass, stagnant pools and other glecting to clean up household de-
debris. Occupants wilt be given bris and car parts from lawns and
a deadline to clean the property allowing their dogs to bark con-
;and come Into compliance with stantly.
the ordinance. Most violators have resolved the
If the home is unoccupied, problems. Some, however, have
the city will make a reasonable refused and now face fines and
attempt to locate the owner. liens against their property.
City work crews could be asked White served 123 warnings last
to dean the property tithe month to people who were in vio-
erfy owner refuses to do to or• lotion of a city code.All but 19 of
the owner cannot be located. those violations, which included
The city then will bill the owner. 51 disabled vehicles and 22 trashy
• Pre are allowed, but no properties, were corrected almost
household is allowed more than immediately.In some cases,dead-
two I D
dogs and two cats without lines have been extended. Other
City Commission approval. violators will appear before the
Animals outside must be re- code board.
'strained by a chain, tether or
leash or confined In a fenced
area or cage. Outside animals
without restraints must be con-
trolled by commands from a
competent person.