By Dominick Tao, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
LARGO — As the number of foreclosed and abandoned homes in Largo rose over the past several years due to the recession and deflated housing bubble, so too have the fines levied on such properties by city code enforcement officials.
Fines to the collective tune of "several million dollars," said community development director Carol Stricklin.
Sometimes at a rate of $250 per day, over the course of weeks, months or years, the fines for violations like yard debris, stagnant swimming pools or overgrown brush can mount if the issue isn't corrected.
But a new city initiative was launched this month to wipe away much of code enforcement lien debt owed to Largo — the Code Enforcement Lien Amnesty Program.
If a property owner's application to the program is successful, code enforcement fines can be reduced by up to 80 percent.
There are currently 346 properties in the city with code enforcement liens on their titles. Some of them are 20 years old.
In order to qualify for the lien reduction, property owners must bring all violations into compliance.
A minimum payment of $250 plus administrative costs is required, plus a $25 application fee that is credited toward the lien amount.
After an application is accepted, the property owner has 90 days to pay the reduced amount.
Part of the reason for starting the lien amnesty program, based on a similar program in Safety Harbor that proved successful, is to get properties selling and occupied once again.
"We're starting to see more movement in the residential market," Stricklin said.
By reducing the obstacles preventing a property from selling and becoming occupied, the city hopes to stimulate growth and bring abandoned properties back to tax-paying status.
The program, however, won't last forever. Applications will be accepted through March 31.
Dominick Tao can be reached at (727) 580-2951 or dtao@sptimes.com.