Walton County Commissioner Dan Curry highlighted a staggering number at Tuesday’s commission meeting.
Over the last 10 to 20 years, Walton County has lost about $14 million in code compliance fines that can no longer be collected.
The new fines continue to occur daily, adding more than $14,000 every day.
“$14 million that we couldn’t collect on with fines, we’re already at $10 million that we can collect on. It’s averaging probably about $14,000 a day accruing. So, there’s a major problem, and that’s why I brought it up. And, you know, my questions were this has been going on for 10,15, 20 years, so you know it’s time to bring it out,” Walton County Commissioner Dan Curry said.
While commissioners say they were aware some fines may have slipped through the cracks, the amount drew concerns across the board.
Curry says as far as he knows, no one has brought this up to the board in the last 20 years.
Records show the county can still collect on roughly $9.8 million in fines and about $600,000 in liens that remain on properties now in compliance.
Commissioner Danny Glidewell says that much money could have paid for a whole ballpark, pointing out what’s at stake if changes aren’t made.
“It’s really a shame and through no fault of our staff, because we were operating under a rather antiquated ordinance. The ordinance needs to be updated, and we need to take advantage of tools that have been added to, you know, our toolbox as far as enforcement,” Walton County Commissioner Danny Glidewell said.
Over the last 10 to 20 years, Walton County has lost about $14 million in code compliance fines that can no longer be collected.
The new fines continue to occur daily, adding more than $14,000 every day.
“$14 million that we couldn’t collect on with fines, we’re already at $10 million that we can collect on. It’s averaging probably about $14,000 a day accruing. So, there’s a major problem, and that’s why I brought it up. And, you know, my questions were this has been going on for 10,15, 20 years, so you know it’s time to bring it out,” Walton County Commissioner Dan Curry said.
While commissioners say they were aware some fines may have slipped through the cracks, the amount drew concerns across the board.
Curry says as far as he knows, no one has brought this up to the board in the last 20 years.
Records show the county can still collect on roughly $9.8 million in fines and about $600,000 in liens that remain on properties now in compliance.
Commissioner Danny Glidewell says that much money could have paid for a whole ballpark, pointing out what’s at stake if changes aren’t made.
“It’s really a shame and through no fault of our staff, because we were operating under a rather antiquated ordinance. The ordinance needs to be updated, and we need to take advantage of tools that have been added to, you know, our toolbox as far as enforcement,” Walton County Commissioner Danny Glidewell said.
