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Consideration of Request to Reduce or Forgive In Whole Outstanding Special Master Default Order for Public Nuisance Animal and Failing to License Animal Filed Against Brittany Schick
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
On November 1, 2024, a Special Master Default Order was recorded in Book 4487, Page 1650 of the Official Records of Hernando County, Florida against Brittany Schick. The lien resulted from a 2023 citation for one public nuisance animal and failing to license the animal. Pursuant to County Code at the time, the Default Order was issued after Ms. Schick failed to pay the civil penalty or contest the violation notice within 20 days. The lien is $1,678.76 plus interest of $178.96 in accordance with Florida law. The total amount currently due is $1,857.72 (plus the $10.00 recording fee, if approved).
On July 21, 2025, Ms. Schick asked that the lien and all interest and costs be forgiven or that the penalty be reduced and she be allowed to pay it over a period of time. The circumstances surrounding her request are explained in the attached email.
Should the Board vote to grant the request for forgiveness in full, the Chairman should be authorized to sign the attached Release of Lien. Similarly, if the Board's decision is to forgive a portion of the lien, the County Attorney should be authorized to prepare and sign a Partial Release of Lien. In either case, the Clerk's Finance Division will be directed to issue the petitioner a U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 in the amount forgiven as cancellation of a debt.
Neither the Board nor staff will need to take any further action should the vote be to deny the request for forgiveness or reduction.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The financial impact would be the potential future collection of the outstanding amount or forgiving and canceling the outstanding amount, depending on the decision.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.
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