Appointments keep board in business

As a candidate, Mayor Bob Buckhorn said he would strengthen the Nuisance Abatement Board and would instruct city attorneys to make regular referrals.

We didn't find any specific moves Buckhorn has made to strengthen the board, but in an interview with PolitiFact Florida, Buckhorn said he is encouraging the board in its work and monitoring its mission.

"Code is an important part of quality-of-life, and frequent and flagrant offenders need to be dealt with,” Buckhorn said. "We have tried to instill a certain urgency in the process.”

The board hears complaints about overgrowth, debris, junk vehicles, signs, and other violations of city code. It has the authority to levy fines and file liens against properties for noncompliance.

Buckhorn has made three appointments to the board since he took office, re-appointing Susan Long and appointing Herald Lord and Scott Strepinia.

Ordinarily, we wouldn't give much credit for simple appointments, but from 2004 to 2008 the board was dormant and positions went unfilled.

City officials told PolitiFact Florida that the board has heard one case within the past year and met approximately four times.

We don't see enough evidence to give a final rating to this promise. For now, we rate it In the Works.