Board approves 10% homestead lien settlement for Delray Beach homeowner after plea for reduction

The Palm Beach County Commission approved a previously negotiated 10% settlement on a county lien for a homesteaded property after a resident, Tracy Faron, asked the board to reduce the settlement to 3% because of financial and family hardship.

Faron, who said she lives at 5135 Woodland Drive, explained she had to resolve tax and permit issues following her husband’s death and that a shed her late husband built led to a lien that she only discovered when she tried to sell. "It still is a financial hardship at 10%. 3% would be ideal," she told commissioners.

County staff told the board the lien originated at roughly $111,000 and that the county’s homestead practice has been to accept a 10% settlement for similar cases. Robin Lawrence of the Office of Financial Management & Budget said the 3% figure would total $3,322.50 if applied to this account.

Commissioner Joel Flores moved to reduce the settlement to 3%, but the motion failed for lack of a second. Later, Commissioner Greg Weiss moved to approve the item as presented (the 10% settlement); Commissioner Marino seconded and the board approved the settlement 6-0.

Board members said they were sympathetic to Faron’s situation but noted the county follows a consistent practice to be fair to all taxpayers and that staff had not received closing statements or documentation that would prove the degree of hardship. Several commissioners asked staff to continue to work with residents who believe a settlement is a hardship.

The motion to approve the settlement was recorded as a 6-0 vote; staff said residents may be able to return to staff with additional documentation if they seek a different settlement later.