County Forgives $57,850 In Fines, Liens On Bratt Property

November 12, 2009

The Escambia County Commission has agreed to waive $57,850 in fines and costs associated with a code enforcement lien on a Bratt property.

In a handwritten letter, Leslie Barnes of McDavid asked the commission to waive the penalties that had accrued on a piece of property at 3600 Ashcraft Road, near the new Bratt Community Park.

In the letter, Barnes stated that he sold the property to and financed it for Linda Holcombe in May, 2001. According to the Escambia County Office of Environmental Enforcement, Holcombe was cited for overgrowth, trash and debris, and illegal burning on April 3, 2006. She was ordered August 22, 2006, by a special magistrate to clean up the property.

After Barnes repossessed the property in September, 2009, he found Holcombe owed the county  $1,100 in  code enforcement lien and fines that totaled $56,750 by October 8. Barnes cleaned the property to the satisfaction of code enforcement officials on October 8, ending the accrual of new fines.

Citing the inability to pay the $56,760 in fines, Barnes asked the commission to waive the amount owed.

The commission voted 4-1 to waive the fines plus the $1,100 in hard costs. Commissioner Wilson Robertson voted against the waiving the entire lien amount.

Comments

5 Responses to “County Forgives $57,850 In Fines, Liens On Bratt Property”

  1. Best Buds on November 14th, 2009 5:50 pm

    This was the answer to prayers…as Leslie put it, a ‘miracle’ from God. This is a dedicated Christian family who would do anything they could to help their neighbors. They live the life, walk the walk. This was not his doing, but he did his best to clean it up and it was only fair for them to be forgiven the charges.
    Thank God for answered prayers!!!

  2. Mr. Rodgers on November 12th, 2009 9:26 pm

    Shame on you Commish Wilson. This family is one of the very best in the county., You will not find a more loving, respectful family. They are truly a blessing. If we all practiced what we say like the Barnes, Leslie, Susan and their families we would all be better.

    I am really thankful they got the tax dismissed.

  3. robert on November 12th, 2009 12:47 pm

    i have known this family all of my life and the commissioner that voted against this needs to be voted out of office come election time.

  4. MY OPINION...for what it's worth! on November 12th, 2009 8:26 am

    I’m sure if Commissioner Wilson was the property owner and the circumstances were the same, he would have voted for himself for the fines to be waived!

  5. friend on November 12th, 2009 6:36 am

    commissioner Wilson should have voted to waive this also. If you sell somethinh to someone you can not help what they do with it. She cleaned it up after she got the property back. Was that not the right thing to do?