Escambia County suspends permitting privileges for Par Church Builders qualifier for one year

The Escambia County Contractor Competency Board voted March 4 to find Aaron Burgess, the qualifying agent tied to Par Church Builders, in violation on counts that included fraud/misconduct and financial mismanagement linked to a church construction project. The board suspended his county permitting privileges for one year and recommended the same sanction to the state Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Testimony included a complainant’s account (Pastor Will Stone) that the church had paid invoices but subcontractors and suppliers were not paid, leaving the congregation to borrow additional funds to complete the work. Burgess told the board he had been the qualifying agent years earlier, that he did not own the company and that he had moved his license to inactive status when he left the business; he said some permit paperwork did not bear his signature and he suspected improper use of his credentials.

Board members noted the county’s disciplinary scope is limited to permitting privileges for state-certified contractors and qualifying agents, but stressed the qualifier’s legal responsibility for activities performed under a license. After moving prior exhibits and testimony into the record, the board voted to suspend permitting privileges in Escambia County for one year and approved a matching recommendation to the state board.

The board’s action is administrative: it affects Burgess’s ability to pull permits in Escambia County during the suspension period. Staff said they would record the county order and forward materials to the Construction Industry Licensing Board for state-level consideration.

Pastor Stone said the church has incurred substantial costs and continues to finish the building; he urged the board to prevent the qualifier or the company from harming other customers. Burgess said he has obtained counsel and may pursue legal remedies regarding alleged misuse of his credentials. The county action focused on permitting privileges and did not itself impose criminal penalties.