At a time when Wilton Manors is cracking down on code violations and enforcing fines, the city commission is sending a signal that it is, under the right circumstances, still open to granting grace.

During its meeting on Sept. 24, they heard the appeal of Island City Stage, which had an air conditioning emergency during the pandemic. No permit was ever pulled. It was seemingly a classic “he said, she said” argument, with Marty Childers, on behalf of the business, saying he believed the contractor would take care of permits.

A special magistrate had already cut the $16,000 fine in half.  Childers came to plead for a further, if not total, reduction. Childers said he understood that the $900 in administrative costs would not get relief. He was wrong.

Not only did commissioners unanimously waive the rest of the fine, they also dismissed the administrative fees. The commission, which has several fiscal hawks, cited not only the COVID situation but also the fact that it’s standard for contractors to deal with permits.

They also noted Island City Stage’s importance to the city and the Dixie Highway arts community.

“In light of the circumstances,” Vice Mayor Mike Bracchi said, “you are a nonprofit in our own city. I would actually recommend just reducing it to zero. I know we normally don’t do that but in light of the circumstances just this one time, I’m OK with waiving the administrative [costs].”

This is notable because the commission is in the process of reworking how liens are appealed.

The commission is also updating the city’s fee structure. Fees cover everything from $.15 per page for records requests to $650 for pre application of development fee (up from $500).

Many of the fee increases won’t affect residents, and commissioners were vocal about minimizing any impact. For example, non-residents will pay more for use of dog parks.