A MAN who was hit with $30,000 in fines by a city government for uncut grass has blasted the penalties as outrageous.
The three-year battle between homeowner James Ficken and the city of Dunedin, Florida, about 5 miles northeast of Clearwater, began in 2019 after he received a “big bill” from the city.
In July 2018, Ficken left his home in Dunedin for South Carolina for two weeks to deal with his late mother’s estate.
During that time, Ficken did not mow his lawn after the man who took care of his property unexpectedly died.
Nearly a year had passed, and Ficken said he was unaware of any fines from the city.
Ficken said he only learned of the fines when a code enforcement official making rounds in his neighborhood told him to expect a “big bill from the city,” according to a lawsuit he filed against the city.