Latest news with #KennethBordeaux
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Lauderdale Lakes criticizes couple facing 6-figure fines for code compliance violations caused by inspection delays
City leaders defended code compliance staff after hearing complaints about six-figure fines caused by inspection delays. "The suggestion that the city has acted improperly, has (dragged) its feet or slowed the process: not with respect to the Bordeauxs," City Attorney Sidney Calloway said at the end of Tuesday's City Commission meeting. Two weeks ago, CBS News Miami Investigates shared the complaints of Kenneth Bordeaux, 82, and his wife, Mildred, 80. They own a duplex that the couple rents. The income pays their bills and is also an asset they hope to pass to their family. However, the property faces $366,000 in liens from five violations, according to city records. Those violations included a broken window handle and a cracked electrical plate cover. The couple fixed the violations; however, it took more than 220 days for inspectors to verify those cures. The couple blamed code inspectors for the delays. "It's an absolute misrepresentation of the factual record," Calloway said during the meeting. The couple's nearly 450-page case file with the city's code compliance office has 20 violations that did not meet "minimum standards" for a dwelling, Calloway said. He said there is no evidence that staff caused delays and blamed the Bordeauxs for their months-long wait to meet compliance. Calloway also insisted the fines are justified and have nothing to do with a line in the city's adopted budget that projected a 161% increase in lien and fine collection while directing staff "...to seek strategies to reduce expenses and/or create new revenue opportunities." The Bordeauxs insist they fixed violations as quickly as they could and insist staff delays left them with a lien they cannot afford. Now, the couple is in a situation they struggle to believe. "It's going to put us both in a box," Kenneth Bordeaux said. One of the city's biggest taxpayers, Levy Realty Advisors, faces $740,000 worth of liens. Two weeks ago, their owners told CBS News Miami Investigates that staff delays caused fines to rise. The company's representatives, though, left Tuesday's meeting optimistic for two reasons. First, the city commissioners approved a deal to use OpenGov software to improve the efficiency of departments, including code compliance. Also, the city attorney invited Levy Realty Advisors and the Bordeauxs to meet with him about reducing how much they owe. Levy representatives plan to meet with the city attorney this week.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- CBS News
Elderly couple faces $366,000 in fines over duplex code violations in Lauderdale Lakes
An elderly couple in their 80s is fighting the City of Lauderdale Lakes over more than $366,000 in code enforcement fines on their duplex, a property they said they depend on for income and hope to pass down to family. Fines pile up despite quick repairs, couple said Kenneth Bordeaux, 82, and his wife, Mildred, 80, said they repaired six code violations on the property shortly after inspectors began showing up in March of last year. The violations included issues like broken window handles, cracked electrical outlet covers, peeling paint and minor interior damage. Despite making the fixes, the Bordeauxs said inspectors did not verify compliance for more than 220 days. As a result, $1,500-per-day fines on each violation mounted, according to the couple's attorney, Ari Pregen. "You can't charge someone $65,000 for a broken window crank (or) $55,000 for a broken plate," Pregen told CBS News Miami. "It is absolutely mind-blowing to say we're going to hold your property hostage and we're not going to allow you to do what you want with your property: to pass it on to your next of kin and your loved ones because of window cranks and plastic covers." City offers 10% reduction, but couple says it's not enough The couple applied for a lien reduction, but inspectors offered only a 10% decrease, according to Pregen. Even with the reduction, the Bordeauxs say the remaining amount is unaffordable. "Everything is closed," Kenneth Bordeaux said. "I just want to get this lien over and done with." "I feel like I'm just being beat on with a sledgehammer and I don't understand it," he added. CBS News Miami contacted the city for comment. A spokesperson said the station needed to sign up to speak during public comment at a commission meeting. While commissioners listened to questions during Tuesday's meeting, they did not offer immediate responses. It remains unclear what action, if any, the city will take.
