We have the 75 every now. That's quite Thanks for joining us. I haven't heard
If we could stand for the pledge, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the standy. Thank you. Jennifer, if we can go through the rules, please. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, please silence all cell phones. If you wish to speak, please let the board secretary know in
advance. Otherwise, raise your hand for the board chair to recognize your request. When the chairman calls you to speak, come to the podium, adjust the microphone, and state your name and address for the record. You are requested to keep your remarks brief and factual. Both parties of an issue will be granted uniform maximum time to speak which usually runs between 3 to 5 minutes. This hearing is considered quasi judicial conduct is formal and profane or derogatory comments will not be tolerated. Do we have determination of quorum? Yes sir chairman with six members present. We do proof
of publication. Uh it was uh publication was on Thursday, January 29th, 2026 in the Pensacola News Journal. Thank you. If we can get approval for We have two minutes that we're approved and we'll go with one at a time. Yes, sir. We can go with the December 3rd meeting minutes approval. Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor, raise your right hand.
Motion carries. We have uh minutes from January the 7th, 2026. If I can get a motion. Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor, raise your right hand. And just for a little clarification, there is a typo on the the agenda. It should have read December 3rd, 2025. You know, I'm human. happens.
Do we have anybody that wants to speak in public form? I do have one speaker request form, Mr. Robert Skechek. If you could please come to the podium, state your name and address for the record. Thank you. Robert Skiek. Um, address is 9360 Nicholls Lake Road, Milton, Florida 32583. This is um regarding a disciplinary action that was taken upon my license. I never received notification for and was never able to provide a defense on myself. Um and looking over
the disciplinary action, there's some things that were also presented out of context and I'm trying to figure out if I can have a chance to provide a defense on this. Staff, if you can make a recommendation. Go ahead, chair. if you can fill us in a little bit about the cases. So, Mr. Skitchak had a complaint filed against his license with this board and ultimately the board did take disciplinary action against his license. Uh he came in and asked what would be the procedure because he did not um receive notification um of the proceedings and he didn't
he actually came in and was trying to get something done with licensing and was made aware that disciplinary action had been taken. He is aware that he did not update his mailing address with us and and he admits to that but the actual notices everything went to his other address that that was not changed. Um he asked what could be done and I told him that he would need to come to the board during public forum and address the board in regard to that case.
When was the case exactly? What are the specifics? I can I can if you don't mind. I got it right here. If you want to go ahead and answer based on that. So, the final order um says it was held on September 4th, 2024. I'm sure the 2024 is actually a typo. It should be 2025. Um let's start with what's the case number. Does it have that at the top? We got a case numbers 2550329 coom.
We'll see if we'll pull it up. Okay. Thank you. So, what I'm bringing up on the screen is the actual final order. Um, the case was in um 25 based on the complaint number. Um he was Mr. Skiak was for found
in violation of um two items and was fined $2,000 based on that hearing. What was the complaint? Let me bring up the admin complaint really quick. And don't we register mail them also? I mean we do. We we send them both certified certified and normal uh mailing.
Here's the actual administrative complaint. Um just to give a brief overview. Um this isn't regarding Mr. Sprag. He hired Mr. Skichak to do a water heater replacement. Um the Mr. SKACK installed the water heater in January of 25 and and provided an invoice respon uh homeowner paid the invoice. Um homeowner contacted uh responded advising him that he had some concerns about
the water heater. Um Mr. Skak returned to the residence and corrected the installation. Um then property owner questioned about when an inspection would be performed. That's when um Mr. Sketch came in and attempted to obtain a permit and at that time he had an inactive license. He was working on a business name change during that time. Um, and for us, when you're doing a business name change,
you have to have your name ch your name on your insuranceances match your name on your license, right? So, he was working through that process. Mr. Skitchak ultimately got another plumber to obtain the permit. Correct, Mr. Skitchack? Yes. Permit was obtained, inspected, job was completed. Um what the board determined out of out at that time was contracting with an active license. His
license was not up to date due to the business name change and the insurance issue and then the permitting issue from him not not obtaining the permit for his work. So that's what the board looked at. Then the final ruling on it was just a penalty or suspension of license also. No, it was just some fines. Um he yeah I remember this he had to pay those fines within 30 days. Um and then you the board made the ruling that uh should he not pay those fines within the 30 days his
license would be revoked for a period of one year. Okay. So are the has the fees been paid? No sir. I wasn't aware of it within the 30 days to to pay it. I just found out. And and just to bring it to your attention, this uh final order was signed in September of 2025. So that year would run out um September. A year. Yeah. Yes, sir. Yes. Well, the year would run out. The year would run out after
the 30 days. It would run out in October. The 30 days to pay it and then one year from there would Yes, sir. And you're asking for reinstatement of your license. Is that what you're here for today? Or Well, I mean, I would like to provide some kind of defense against this disciplinary action. I've been licensed since 2018, and this is my first um complaint, period. There's there's a lot more to it than um so for example, like the license name change. I've been I I converted from LLC to
incorporated in 2019. Um, I'm waiting on records still for Mskambi County to see my renewals because I'm I'm not sure if I was in my office in 2024 when I renewed, but I know that if I was not, I would have put down the correct address. I wouldn't put down an office address that I'm not in. And I wasn't even aware that I didn't update with the DBB BBPR the name change or I didn't I don't think I was compliant with that in any county until I discovered this and then
uh I think Renee over in Okaloosa County had it correct over there. She didn't have to update it. I had to update it in Santa Rosa County and then I had to update it here. Um what happens whenever I submitted my permit I submitted it in the portal and I got rejected for licensing and what was the reason for the rejection was my license was not current. I I missed I missed my renewal and at the time I wasn't doing work over here. I had a commercial project I took on in Santa Rosa County and I had a big custom house I was doing in Okaloosa County. It's just me and my wife. So it's
a lot of work that was pretty much our year-long work. Um we weren't doing any marketing. We kind of turned the service off. we were just servicing existing clients and clients that found us through referrals. Um, so whenever I found that out, I came in to get my renewal done and at this time they were presenting me that the documents didn't match. I was registered LLC with the DPPR and I wasn't incorporated, but we have done the same renewal process since 2019. And to kind of get this job taken care of, I kind of pleaded with them to see if they could renew my license now
and give me a grace period till the renewal period comes back up. And uh I would have it corrected by then. With the DBPR to change the name, it's it's you have to fill out a piece of paper, you have to mail it in, you have to wait for them. Uh the the it got extended a little bit because I forgot to write my license number down. They returned that and I had to submit it. and the the customer was putting a lot of pressure on me with, you know, threats of complaints and this and that. And that's why I reached out to the other contractor and I I paid $300 for that service for them to permit my work. I sent pictures to the job so they could inspect that it
was up to code and then uh had them inspect it. And then two days after the inspection, I guess, is when they filed the the complaint. So, I tried to take care of the customer and realistically, I didn't hurt anybody. And this was it it was a mistake. It was negligence on my end that it didn't get renewed, but it was an honest mistake and we were trying to take care of that. Yeah. But I mean, correct me if I'm wrong. Go ahead. I was just going to tell you that at this point, this is just public forum. So, if you want to do a hearing on this or discuss possibilities,
you would need to set it on um decide to set and you can decide that unilaterally. You don't need a vote on that. You could decide to have it allow it to come back for um a review of the disciplinary hearing. But I'm not sure that my decision anyway, but the board can, you know, of course, um, have their own opinion. If you were working without a license and you knowingly know that your license wasn't active, I think that's the decision that we made that you know, so I don't think that decision would be changed by you coming in here pleading your case because you were still working without
a license. Then you went to a second plumber to go in and say, "Hey, can you finish this job for me?" So the ruling was based on the fact that you were working without a license. So regardless, every plumber, electrician, general contractors know that you don't start working without permit being pulled. Yes. Yeah. I I agree with you. I was working without a license knowingly. I disagree with that. I didn't know my license was not current at that time or I would have took care of that before I performed any work. So I'll u let the others on the board chime in and see if there's a difference of opinion whether or not to sir uh rehear the case or not. But, uh,
I'll pass it over. I think for me, oh, there it is. It's on. Um, I think for me, I agree with you on that. Just considering the counts that were before us, I don't think there would be a on my part, I can't speak for the rest of the board, a different ruling that I would make. However, what I would look at since you didn't receive the mail, maybe potentially us discussing giving 30 days for him to pay it and have the ability to then not be suspended for a year with that lensure.
But I think we'd have to have put him we have to redo the ruling and again well you basically you lost your you know his license wasn't within the so basically he would need to reapply to get his license back um because I think that's going to be the process of of it be a so yes he could do a uh application for reinstatement of his of his license and that would come before the board as a as a contractor application and then you could um discuss that at that time.
We in agreeance with that. I mean just a straw poll. I agree with that. I think that's good. Fees paid comes back before us. So if you can get with staff and then staff can recommend you what direction to go and then put it back on the agenda at uh whenever the meeting uh next meeting or the meeting after. Okay. And then we'll go that direction. All right. That works for me. Well, thank you so much. Thank you. Anybody else in the public forum? I did not receive any other speaker request forms. You may just want to pull the audience to see if anybody does anybody else want to speak on public
forum. No hands go up. All right. So, uh, can we get the secretary status report, please? Uh, I do have one thing for the board. I would like to introduce Miss Rhonda Royals. She is our new deputy building official. uh she's actually worked for us uh contract for a little while in our plans review room and she's great to have on board as our deputy. Now, welcome. Um if I could um thank you and I apologize, but I just want to make sure we understand that that it is the
um it is always the responsibility of the contractor. I know some of you are contractors and some of you are not. Um, so it is always the responsibility of keeping your information up to date. Just like your driver's license, it is your fault if you don't keep it up to date. And the law requires that. That's not some kind of strange um policy that we have here in Escambia County. It is with any license that you carry. It's your responsibility. Um, it's the individual's falls on the individual. And I know that everybody that's a contractor on that board knows the weight of that.
Um, and the reason why we send two different letters is we send one letter snail mail. And the reason for that is if you if we have a bad address, it'll kick back and we'll know we have a bad address. We do it um in code enforcement as well whenever we send out notices so we can make sure leans are properly applied. Um, and but we also and then we also send it certified. We don't necessarily go check to see if the certified was was signed for, especially if the um if the snail mail doesn't return, but that's our trigger to know, oh, we've got a bad address.
It still would not be on your investigators to go snake out where this person is. So, um I know that that's just kind of this just brings it to my mind because I know that there was a con because I I learned that when I came here about that policy because I was like, "Oh, well that works." Um, I just want to make sure the board understands that that's not a I know that the contractors understand that, but um, people that are not contractors may not realize there's we we verify it as best we can, but it's not the responsibility of the investigator or the department to make sure
that a contractor keeps their license information up to date. Yep. It lies on the license holder. It Yes, sir. Wonderful. Okay. So, we're going to move to contractor applications. Do we have a application for master plumbing with gas for Brian Lynch? We do. Uh we do. Uh Mr. Brian Lynch, if you will please come to the podium, sir, and state your name and address for the record.
Good morning. My name is Brian Lynch, 505A Sullivan Street Northwest in Fort Wal Beach. Mr. Mr. Lynch appears before you today requesting approval to take the master plumber with gas examination. Mr. Lynch previously held a plumber's license and in California working from November the 15th of 2007 until November 30th of 2011 totaling four years and 15 days. His license number was 906561. Staff has provided the license information from California Contractor's state
licensing uh board's website. The lensure type was defined as a class C36 plumbing contractor's license. I have also included a definition for this license for the board's reference uh per the state of California. His experience was listed as residential and commercial plumbing along with all aspects of plumbing including gas thread piping for gas. This is detailed in his experience verification form. Mr. Lynch did disclose prior criminal history when completing the application and has provided a written explanation along with court records provided from the superior court
of the state of California for the county of Placer. Uh due to the disclosure of the past criminal history, staff will defer to the board for approval or denial of his application. Mr. Lynch, would you like to tell us about yourself and a little bit about your history if you don't mind? Uh, I had a troubled youth, I would say. Uh, I saw the dates. It was a while back. It's It's been pretty about 30 years. Uh, I started plumbing in 1999. Uh,
I went to apprenticeship school through a sanctioned job where I worked for a plumber and they put you into a school. From there, I moved up to Foreman to uh, oversee other plumbers. Uh in 2011, my dad from North Carolina got sick. I uh put my license in acting and I moved back east and for the last 14 years, I guess 15 years, I had been taking care of him and he passed a year and a half ago. So I went back to work and uh I worked for a contractor that does
site work and he found out I was a plumber and asked if I would consider getting my plumbing license to benefit the company. So we could do more site work. Okay. Port have any questions? Seek a motion to approve. I'll make a motion to approve. We have a motion. We have a second. And I'll second. And I'm sorry for the passing of your father. Thank
you. Appreciate it. We have a motion. We have a second. All in favor, raise your right hand. The motion carries. Thank you, Mr. L. Thank you very much. Have a good luck. Good morning, board. For air conditioning is Jason Jordan. Staff. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Um, our next applicant is Mr. uh Jason Jordan. Uh, Mr. Jordan, please come to the podium. State your name and address for the record. My name is Jason Jordan. Address 421 West Roberts Road.
All right. Now, Mr. Jordan is applying for uh to reciprocate his air conditioning class B license uh from the uh Santa Rosa County. Um and he has the registered license number RA1367746 and appears before you today with five years and five months of experience according to the application provided. Now although he provided us with an updated copy of
his experience verification form, Mr. Jordan did ask that we use his previous experience form with notorized signature verifier for current change in business relationships. And uh Mr. Jordan worked as HVAC technician and foreman for Brad Smith from 2020 to 2025. And the um verifier, Mr. Brad Smith. He holds an active license for certified air conditioning contractor class B with license number CAC 1819 294 since 2018. And Mr. Jordan's responsibilities include
but are not limited to performing services and supervising installations of HVAC equipment. And that's all the information according to what was provided on the application. Now with this being a application for reciprocity, um staff will defer to the board for the final decision. Thank you. Mr. Jordan, you want to tell us a little bit about yourself? Uh yeah, been doing heat and air about 10 years. Um uh that's about it. Not much to say on that,
huh? Yeah. Well, I'm I wasn't preparing to public speak today, so forgive me if I'm That's okay. Uh, do we have uh anybody from the board have any questions or comments regarding the application? Motion to approve. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. We have a motion. We have a second. All in favor, raise your right hand. A motion carries. Thanks, guys. Good luck. Our
next applicant is for doors, windows, and sighting. It's uh Mr. I don't want to kut Koot. Okay. Thank you. Yes, sir. Uh Mr. Kogat, please uh come to the podium. State your name and address for the record. Chad Kogat, 102 Shasta Road, Pensacola. Absolutely. Mr. Kogat is applying for the doors, window, and siding examination and appears before you today with six years and seven months of
experience. Uh and according to the application provided, he worked as project supervisor in siding for the Reside Incorporated under the supervision of Douglas Spec, who holds an active license uh with doors, window, and siding uh with the contractor license number DWS 0090 and is held since 2012. Mr. Kat responsibilities include but are not limited to um completing
over 50 projects supervising two staff members and repairing exterior rot install flashings moisture barriers as well as measure cut and install new siding with trim. Now Mr. Kogat did select yes on one of the financial responsibility questions on the application and his criminal history has been compiled for the board to review in the agenda items. Now, with this financial responsibility history and consideration, staff will defer to the board for the final decision. Thank you. Mr. Kog,
would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself? And uh I moved out here to Pensacola in 98 and had a traffic ticket in another state that I was not aware of. Well, I mean, I guess I forgot about and it suspended my driver's license here in Florida and I got pulled over several times before I was able to finally get that ticket taken care of and get my driver's
license back. Once I finally had, I've held on to it and cherished it with everything I got. So, you kept dragging on and on and on, right? All right. Does the board have any questions regarding approval of the license? If not, we'll seek a motion. Motion to approve. Have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. A motion. We have a second. All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much.
Next applicant is Mr. Craig with a roofing license. Sir, uh, Mr. Adam Craig, if you would please come to the podium, state your name and address for the record, sir. Morning. My name is Adam Craig, 4356 Clare Court, Golf Breeze. Uh, Mr. Craig appears before you today requesting to reciprocate his Santa Rosa County roofing license. his past examinations uh and obtain he has passed his examinations and obtained his license March the 7th of 2025.
You will find a copy of his Santa Rosa County competency card and test scores included in his packet. Mr. Craig is self-verifying utilizing his dates of lensure in Kansas City, Missouri. He held this license from August the 10th, 2006 until August 1st, 2023. managed daily operations, finances, sales, and project management, as well as being involved in the physical roofing uh jobs. He provided a list of jobs on his experience verification form for the board's consideration. Staff has also provided a document showing his business uh details dated 221 2006,
as well as a copy of Senate Bill number 756, which in subsection 5 provides a definition for roofing contractor in the state of uh Missouri. In addition to his experience, Mr. Craig did provide a copy of his ED214 as well to provide credit for his time of service in the United States Navy. Uh this was provided based upon Florida statute 49 um.1131 which states in subsection B acceptance of up to three years of active duty uh for service in the United States armed forces regardless of duty training uh meeting the requirements of
4911 subsection 2C. at least one additional year of active experience as a foreman in the trade, either civilian or military, is required to fulfill the experience requirements. Um, however, because this is a reciprocity, staff will defer to the board for approval of denial of the application. Thank you, Mr. Greg. Thank you for your service. We appreciate Thank you. Want to tell us a little about yourself? Uh, I'm a disabled veteran, served four years in the military. I try and carry that honor and integrity into my service as a uh business owner. Uh, lived
in Kansas City for 23 years, operated a business for 18 of that. Um, that's about it. I think this is what my life is. The board has any questions. Um, thank you for your service. Yes. Motion to approve. We have a motion. We have a second. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Yeah, we have a application for residential contractor, Mr. Gold. Yes, sir. Mr. Frederick
Gold. If you will please come to the podium, state your name and address for the record. Good morning. My name is Frederick Gold. Address 881 Dolphin Road, Milton, Florida, 32583. Mr. Gold appears before you today requesting to reciprocate his residential contractor's license from Santa Rosa County. Mr. Mr. Gold obtained his lensure in Santa Rosa County in November the 8th of 2021 and has held a license in good standing through today's date totaling four years, 2 months, and 27 days. This meets the require the four-year requirement set forth by Florida statute 4911. He
is self-verifying based upon the number of years he has held his lensure. He has provided to you uh his experience verification form noting that he oversees all trades on the job site, ensures all trades have licensed and or lensure and insurance and work solely on all projects which consist of new construction builds. He has provided three addresses on his experience verification form for building projects that he has completed under this license. He has also stated in the con he has worked in the construction industry for 44 years having worked under the labors union in Boston Massachusetts carpenters union New York City building schools
and in the prison iron works union in New York City. This time period provided Mr. Gold with experience in foundation framing roofing siding sheetrock metal framing flooring painting cabinetry countertops site work and insulation based upon his written experience provided. Uh he also testified that he has constructed new homes in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Florida. You will find a copy of his test scores as well included in his packet. Uh while assembling the application for reciprocity, uh these comp card and letter of reciprocity were
not included. So I personally would like to apologize uh and take responsibility. Um I do have a copy of those available for the board to be provided with a motion for acceptance. Shame on you. I'm just kidding. Motion to approve or motion to bring it. Uh, you want to share those or Yes, sir. If we had a second. Do we have a second? Yeah. So moved. We need a second to accept the
need. Second. Second. Right here. Our love is unconditional. After this has been distributed, that will conclude staff's presentation for Mr. Gold. The staff recommendation on this applicant. It is a reciprocity. So, we must defer it to the board. Mr.
Thank you. All right. If uh the board has any questions, additional questions. I feel like you have a lot of really great stories with all the experience in all the places. A motion to approve. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Have a motion. We have a second. All in favor, raise your right hand. Motion carries. Thank you, sir. Good. Thank you. We will be now moving into probable cause hearings. Mr. Chairman,
thank you. Uh, yes, sir. Chairman, our first item is Brett Smith, doing business as Apex Plumbing LLC, state registered license number RF11 067884. Uh contractor competency board complaint number 2550993 COOM. It's in regard to Frank Jenek, the complainant at 81815 Klondike Road, Pensacola, Florida 32503. Uh if the board members recall, this this item was brought to the board at our
last month's hearing. Uh and the board determined to continue this um to this meeting date. Um, I'm gonna bring up the investigator's report real quick. Mr. Smith, are you present today? Yes, sir. And are you going to provide testimony today? Yes, sir. And Mr. Janichek, are you present today? Mr. Janichek is not present. Melissa, did we receive any communications from him? Uh,
we did. He was uh furled with the short shutdown and he said he had to go back to work today. Okay. Unable to appear. I have some other information as well. At this time, I'm going to have uh Mr. Smith sworn in as well as our investigator, Miss Reber, and she will remain sworn for the duration of the of the hearings today. Thank you. Melissa, from that last hearing, do you have any, uh, updates for us? I do. Um, uh, Mr. Smith paid for the permit on February
2nd and had an inspection yesterday which uh did fail uh for it says need to comply with manufacturer specification exhaust too close to an openable window. And go ahead. You were saying something. This is regarding the heater, right? The water heater. I just want to make sure this was in regard to a tankless water heater. Water heater that was put up and then the
gentleman came to the last meeting, explained to us what the manufacturer's recommendations were versus what the installation recommend the way the installation was done. Correct. That's correct. Okay. And then the inspection that they had yesterday failed. So what what the board was looking at last time was the failure to obtain the permit. Um, and yes, Miss Reber did just state that the inspection failed. Do you want to say something in regards to the complaint? Yes. Can you come to the podium? So, I actually had this hearing broke down as the ninth and not
the fourth. I had them converted somehow. Um, so whenever I realized, yeah, we did we sped it up. Um, the way that the house is, I need to speak to a a inspector about it because if not, we're going to have to run, you know, two foot over the eve and it's like 20 foot up in air. So, it's pretty just the way the house is framed up. Um, we did a direct swap out. So, anywhere around the house, whether it be a three from three foot from a window opening or 5 foot from a door opening,
everywhere around the house, it's literally mirrored in just a old house on like East Hill. So, it's literally a a window, a gap, a window. So, we just direct swapped out where the old tank list was inspected. Same exhaust, exact same setup. It's just a different company brand name water heater we put in there. So, I just it's I ran out of time. I thought it was the ninth. I would have had it. We have it on our schedule today. Like a technician's actually probably out there doing it. I don't I don't know. So, I think the question was also that you're working without
a permit. So yeah, that was when our transition uh happened like that was a couple months ago um when we did Frank's and that's whenever yeah it was so so we look at the part where you were working without a permit number one because clearly you know that you can't work without a permit and number two is of course the uh the client of yours is complaining as far as the installation goes. I I looked at the pictures and I'm sure if uh the boards looked at the pictures, it does look like it it's it's not a complete job at all based on the pictures or the images that I viewed.
You know there I mean I wouldn't accept it and I think as a plumber you probably shouldn't accept it either. Yes sir. Yeah. So, so the disciplinary hearing that we're talking about today is going to be the fact that, you know, you are working without a permit. And I think that's that's a big concern that we have here on this panel that, you know, we have people out there that take it for granted and you've been sitting here listening. You know, that, you know, ignorance is, you know, it's on the license holder. You know, whether you renew your license, whether you pull the permits, uh, I think you know that. I know that. Anybody that's on the board that's a contractor,
a plumber, electrician understands that. Uh so uh you know so right now what is our position? Do we move this to disciplinary or do we what's our options here? So the decision before the board do you find probable cause that a violation exists and should proceed to disciplinary hearing? Okay. I'm going to let the board chime in here because they'll have to make a motion to move it to probable cause. Right. The motion would be to proceed to disciplinary. Okay. We're already at probable cause. Okay. And just to note, this was the case that we gave additional time for to
fix the situation so that way it wouldn't go yes forward probable cause. You did continue this. Um Mr. Smith did make payment on that permit the same day. Um but yes, you continue this. Okay. Any more comments from the board?
So, we have to have a motion to move to the next step or So, what you're looking at right now, I think the only violation in front of you is whether or not a permit was pulled, right? Correct. Correct. Okay. And so, now you have a permit pulled. It hasn't passed inspection, but inspection is not your is not before you. That's not your your your question remains. Did he did he um is there probable cause to find that he did it without a permit? But now he does have the permit. There's just problems. So just keep that in mind.
That's that's where you're at on this. I have a question. Is this the first time this has ever happened for him? The history. Correct. And how long have you been in business? uh since 2022. It's around like the co time, right? It was Yeah. Uh 2022. So So the probable cause didn't change. And so would we make a motion that we find probable
cause? Right. It's a it's a question whether or not you find probable cause. And if you find probable cause, similar to law enforcement, uh, then it would move forward. So, I would make a motion that we find probable cause to move forward to the disciplinary. So, we have a motion. Do we have a second? We have a motion. We have a second. All in favor? Is there any discussion? Yeah, I was about to say I have some discussion on it. So with that, because there's a bit of um you know, because there's a bit of a loophole here, right? Because
he did we gave him the time to get the permit. He now has the permit. He just has failed inspection. So would this be technically can we find probable cause since he has the permit? Would there then need to be a new complaint from the client? So the actual alleged violation is that he performed work. Okay. So we can still Okay. Okay. At the time of the incident, he didn't have a permit. And
again, so you know, if it goes into disciplinary, then it's up to the board, you know, what type of disciplinary? It could be, you know, uh minimum or it could be maximum. Uh but I think uh again, just looking at the overall is because there was work that was commenced without a permit being pulled. I think that's the only part that we have to focus on here. Of course, if the complaint comes in that, you know, if the job's not done right, then of course that opens up another case, but I'm pretty sure that you'll, you know, fix any errors that are there recommendation yet. So, again, the
board has a discretion to what that decision is going to be. So, we don't want you to think that, oh, you know, okay, because I've got this action that's coming against me. the board can discuss at the next meeting and then determine, you know, what's the minimum amount, what's the maximum amount, and they'll give us options on what that is, and then the board can decide on that. Okay. All right. So, we have a motion and we have Do we have a second? Oh, wait. I have one more question. Sorry, we have a comment. Yeah. Question. Why was the permit not pulled again? I'm sorry. It just if
you said it at the first meeting, I don't What was the reason why the permit wasn't pulled? We were in the transitions of with dispatch ladies. Um, we had our paperwork was everywhere. Um, and we were doing a lot of projects. This one slipped through. I mean, there was there's no excuse for it. It just it slipped through and But all the other jobs that you were doing, you have multiple jobs, correct? Yeah, we're we're pretty we're pretty on point with the permitting stuff. Do we know how many jobs they have done? I mean, how many permits you have pulled? I can bring I've heard of the company, so it's not that I I'm not familiar with them.
What I'm going to bring up to the for the board is uh Mr. Smith's contractor licensing card. This is uh Mr. Smith's licensing card. And within the licensing card, you can see his associated permits. And from the time he obtained his license, he has he has 72 permits on the books. You can see that a majority of those are closed.
Uh he has a a couple that are open and one that's pending. Okay. So this is your first one that Yes, sir. They do. And it happens sometimes. So again, it's at the board's discretion. We want to take it to the next level or you know. So currently you have you have a motion and a second. I believe we had a second on that. So you would need to vote on that or that motion could be withdrawn. But that's the that's what's before you now. We're in a discussion phase. So
just depending on the discussion phase, if uh everybody wants to kind of move forward, we can go ahead and close out the motion and if there's more discussion, we can have it. No more discussion. Okay. So, we have a motion. We have a second. Uh, all in favor, raise your right hands. Motion carries. Need to do all against as well. Any against? How many? I'm sorry. I didn't see all the hands go up. That's why I'm That's why I'm checking
the four would all in motion. In favor of the motion, raise your right hand. So you had five for and then one against. Okay. Five and one. Five and one. There you go. Six and one. Is it six and one? Yes. All right. I'm sorry, Gary. I'm not counting you, Gary. So six, four, one against. So So Mr. Smith, just to let you know, you will receive notice of when this disciplinary hearing will take place. That notice will detail what could and could not happen um based on the board's decisions. uh if you would like to give a response
um and L to what you've done since then and what you're doing today. You said that the person was out there going to uh work on that that then please get that to Miss Reber uh so that it can go as part of the packet that would be presented to the board. Thank you. Thank you. Our next case, our next item is Aaron Burgess doing business as PAR Church Builders, Inc., state
certified license number CBC 1258877, contractor competency board complaint number 2512119 COOM. It's in regard to Pastor Will Stone from First Baptist Church of KTO. the complainant at 298 Morris Avenue, Cant, Florida 32533. Uh, Mr. Burgess, are you present today? For the record, Mr. Burgess is not present. Melissa, did we receive any uh communications from Mr.
Burgess? I've not had any communication with him. Uh, Mr. uh, Pastor Stone, are you present today? And are you gonna provide testimony for this hearing? Yes, sir. At this time, I'm going to have Pastor Zone sworn in. And just a reminder that Miss Rever was previously sworn.
Uh, Pastor Stone, if you I'm gonna ask Miss Reber just a few questions really quick and then we're gonna um hear from you. Okay. All right. Miss Reber, was a complaint filed with this board in regard to uh this case? Yes, there was. And on what date was that filed? September 30th, 2025. And did you assign a case number to that complaint? I did. And what is that case number? 2512119 COOM. And who was the subject of the complaint? Aaron E. Burgess. Doing business is PAR Church
Builders, Inc. And what is his address of record? 225 North Pace Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida 32505. And who is the complainant and what is their affiliation to the case? Pastor Will Stone of First Baptist Church of Cantoment. And what type of license does the subject hold? A state registered building contractor license. And what is his license number? CBC1258877.
During your investigation, were you able to assign any alleged violations? If so, can you take us through those, your justification, and any supporting documentation? I was code section 1837C6, financial mismanagement or misconduct in the practice of contracting that causes financial harm to a customer. Justification is failure to pay subcontractors and material suppliers of supporting documentation. And there's unpaid material suppliers um which were eventually had
to be paid by the church and um a list of subcontractors that were paid by the church. Code section 1837 C11 finding that a contractor is guilty of fraud or deceit or gross negligence, incompetency or misconduct in the practice of contracting. Justification is uh par submitted false invoices and altered lean releases. Supporting documentation is a list of the
subcontractors paid by the church. I just want to I just want to circle back real quick to the type of license that Mr. Burgess holds. That is a statecertified building contractor. Correct. I apologize. State certified. Y um can you take us through a brief synopsis of of the complaint and your investigation? Escambia County Building Services staff received a formal complaint from Dr. Will Stone, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Cantoment, alleging that Wes Harden,
owner of PAR Churchbuilders, Inc. received contracted funds but failed to complete all contracted work, failed to pay subcontractors and material suppliers. In October 2024, the trustees of First Baptist Church of Canto entered a construction contract with West Harden doing business as PAR Church Builders, Inc. for the construction of a new church facility. Construction commenced in the fall
of 2024 with an anticipated completion date in the spring of 2025. The total contract amount was $2,48,000. And to date, the church has paid Harden par church builders $2,94,79.74. Research on the license card determined that PAR Churchbuilders Inc. is qualified by Aaron E. Burgess. According to Pastor Stone, when the project was nearly dried in around late June to
early July 25, Harden advised the church that he was leaving town and wasn't sure when he would be back. Pastor Stone reports that he subsequently began receiving calls from subcontractors, material suppliers, and equipment rental companies stating that they had not been paid despite Chart Church Builders Inc. having received payment for the work performed through draws. Pastor Stone further alleged that he learned that Harden had falsified subcontractor invoices
and lean releases. To protect the church from potential leans, the church paid $53,234 directly to subcontractors, suppliers, and rental companies. Pastor Stone also states that he was contacted by Escambia County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding the site site's storm water ponds and related storm water structures being in a non-compliant condition. Pastor Stone alleges that PAR Church Builders, Inc. had been paid approximately $324,681
for site work and storm water improvements. However, the site remained in violation and the required storm water structures had never been purchased. With the assistance of church members and by spending additional funds, the church was able to stabilize the site and address the immediate concerns. After consulting with its lenders, the trustee of the First Baptist Church of Canto formally terminated PAR Church Builders, Inc. on August 18th, 2025 by mailing a notice of
contract termination via certified mail. First Baptist Church of Canto has hired another general contractor to complete the unfinished project. A review of the permitting history for the subject address confirms that PAR Church Builders, Inc. was issued a building permit on August 8th of 2024. Burgess has failed to respond to requests for a written response to this complaint. Pastor Stone, may I ask you a question? Yes. Have you already filed a complaint with DBPR in regards
to this the state of Florida? Yes. Thank you. Uh if you would like to go ahead and and provide the board with any additional information, that would be great. Okay. Um you've got you've got the case. I mean, you heard it. But uh in in addition to that, since uh we've had we're moving forward, we had to uh the church had to apply for another loan for $525,000 uh to complete this project. And uh when we went to loan closing, there was already a lean on the property for $15,500 from equipment
share, a rental company that he had failed to pay uh that we had already been charged to pay that. Um and uh in addition uh the roof that we had already paid to have installed and and put onto the church has it's a raised seam metal roof. Uh they had crimped the roof, but they did not they did not seam roll the seams of the roof. And so that was another $8,000 for us to pay out to seam the roof uh properly. Uh and so every day it's a u it's a different gift from this company. We get
we get something every day. And I'm not sure that there won't be another lean a lean on the building somewhere down the line because I just don't know. Uh we were unaware of the one with equipment share before a week before our closing when we found out there was already a lean on the property. Does the contractor have any other open permits county? You can see here he has three expired permits ranging from 2018 till now and the two permits um that have contract
and you have actually terminated this one on Morris Avenue. It's showing us expired because he allowed it to expire but you terminate that contract as well. It looks like contract terminated on the Blue Angel project and then also this other project. How long was his license active? Does it show?
It looks like he originally registered with us in 2018. Um and then had that one project on Blue Angel and then he updated his registration in 2024 um for this project with the church. Okay. And we've made attempts to reach out to him and is nonresponsive. That's correct. I briefly talked to um I've I've never talked to Wes Harden,
the owner of PAR. Um briefly talked to Aaron Burgess and but he's never submitted anything in writing or got in contact back with me. Okay. So, uh our option here is to move this into uh disciplinary I'm sorry sir, I was asking a question. Can you repeat? Our options here are to move this into disciplinary. That is what's before the board today. Uh for you to determine
if probable cause exists to move this to disciplinary. Okay, I'll turn it over to the board. clearly is probable cause, but I move to bring this forward to disciplinary actions for the alleged violations of code section 1837 C6 and code section 1837 C11. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Add anything. Do we have any discussions?
It just needs to include the language that you findable. I'd like to amend my motion to say that I find probable cause. Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. Uh, and no discussions. All in favor, raise your right hand. Any naysay? Motion carries. And so, just to bring it to the board's attention, the reason that I asked Pastor Stone about whether he has filed with the state is this board is limited and in what they can do to a state certified contractor. And I wanted to make sure that the state had also received this complaint.
Yes, they have. I got an email from them yesterday requesting some more information. So, work. Yes, sir. Thank you. And I see you have most of your paperwork already, but just, you know, any damages that you know of that you're sustaining that the church is sustaining. Just have all that documentation ready and provide to staff so they have it. So, when we're here making a decision, we'll be able to look and see if there's any damages to add to the All right. Thank you. Case. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you sir.
I think that's it. Is that Yes, sir. That is all that I have for the board. Okay. Any motion to dismiss? Motion made. Motion carried. Yeah. Thank you everyone. We're good.