Brickbat: Quick Work

Kenneth and Mildred Bordeaux, an octogenarian couple in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, are facing $366,000 in fines for six minor code violations on their duplex. The fines stem from issues like a broken window handle and cracked outlet covers, which they quickly repaired after city inspections began in March 2024. Despite their prompt fixes, the city took over 220 days to verify the repairs, causing daily fines to pile up to an amount the couple say they can't afford. Their lawyer argues that these excessive fines are illegal, and they applied for a lien reduction, but the city only offered a 10-percent cut, leaving them with over $300,000 to pay. CBS News Miami found the city's inspection delays are part of a broader issue, with Lauderdale Lakes planning to increase revenue through code enforcement, affecting other property owners, too.