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APR 2,a <br />The types of violations in the schedule of penalties were selected <br />by staff based on the "black and white" nature of the violations, <br />where it is straight -forward that a specific violation exists; and <br />the ability of a respondent to remedy the violation with simple <br />action, in a relatively short time frame. <br />If a respondent challenges the issuance of a general citation or <br />refuses to pay the assessed fine, the matter is taken directly to <br />county court and is handled similar to a traffic ticket court <br />appearance. <br />Contracting Citation Procedures <br />The proposed contracting citation procedures were drafted in <br />accordance with Section 489.127, F.S. Different from general <br />citation procedures, no prior notification is required for <br />citations relating to unlicensed contractors. Another major <br />difference is that a contested contracting citation is heard by <br />the Code Enforcement Board rather than by county court. A Code <br />Board decision, however, could subsequently be appealed to circuit <br />court. <br />The proposed schedule of penalties includes recommended fines to be <br />assessed for different types of contracting violations. Based on <br />input from Building Division staff, the General Contractors <br />Association, and other workshop participants, maximum fines of $500 <br />are recommended in an effort to battle the unfair''economic <br />advantage often gained by unlicensed contractors. <br />Alternatives <br />The Board's alternatives in considering the proposed amendment <br />include: <br />1. Leave the county's code enforcement procedures as they are, <br />limiting county code enforcement options to present <br />procedures; <br />2. Adopt staff's proposed amendment to County Code Chapter 103, <br />creating code enforcement citation procedures as an <br />additional enforcement option; or <br />3. Adopt staff's proposed amendment with modifications (within <br />the parameters of Florida Statutes). <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners amend <br />Chapter 103 of the County Code by adopting the proposed citation <br />ordinance and accompanying resolution, including the establishment <br />of a schedule of penalties and notification time frames. <br />0V <br />