Abandonment — 1011 Illinois Street, SE, Fort Meade, Florida (CMA-2025-57 NT DEM)

POLK COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
POLK COUNTY, a political subdivision of the State of Florida,
Petitioner,
vs.  
Kenneth Nesmith, if alive and if deceased, his/her estate, heirs, devisees, assigns, or successors in interest, and all other interested parties to the below described property 
Respondent(s).
COMPLAINT NO. CMA-2025-57 NT DEM
NOTICE OF DEMOLITION
TO: Kenneth Nesmith, if alive and if deceased his/her estate, heirs, devisees, assigns, or successors in interest, and all other interested parties to the, below described property
Last known addresses:
1011 Illinois Street, SE
Fort Meade, Florida 33841-3128
Mortgage Holder(s):
N/A
Last known address:
 
Reference the structure(s) being situated on a parcel described as:  The West 70 feet of the East 540 feet Less the North 165 feet of the North 1/2 of the South 1/2 of the NE1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 36, Township 31 South, Range 25 East Polk County, Florida. Less the North 25 feet for public road. (36-31-25-000000-021110)
First Publication Date: April 29, 2026
TAKE NOTICE: that pursuant to Polk County Ordinance 11-007, the Polk County Building Official has determined that the structure(s) referenced above qualifies as dilapidated as defined in the Ordinance.
Required corrective action: The structure(s) must be demolished and the debris must be removed to an authorized landfill or the structure(s) must be substantially repaired by 05/29/2026.
If the dilapidated structure(s) is not demolished or substantially repaired by the date set forth above, the structure(s) shall be demolished by Polk County.
  Should you fail to demolish or substantially repair the dilapidated structure(s) by date set forth above, please be advised that you may wish to remove all personal property and site improvements from the subject property.
Assessment of Costs: The costs for the demolition, the removal of debris and/or any costs incurred by Polk County after the property owner failed to demolish or repair the structure to comply to the Florida Building Code by the date set forth above, shall be assessed against the property upon which the structure is situated. If not satisfied within two (2) years, the Board of County Commissioners may authorize the lien to be foreclosed.
Note: If Polk County, or a vendor under contract from Polk County, demolishes the structure(s), the demolition will include the removal of all signs of human habitation. This includes debris, trash (excluding hazardous materials), tires, building materials, septic tanks, all structures, primary structure, sheds, garages, doghouses, etc., slabs, footers, driveways (up to the road), and all fences (except those which divide the property from an adjoining property). The property will be brought to a raked-site basis. If there are any questions as to what the demolition will include, it is the owners responsibility to contact the Demolition Department for clarification. Please take notice that if the property contains a pool or septic tank these structures will be crushed and filled in as part of the demolition.
 In order to repair or demolish any structures, you must first obtain a building or demolition permit from the Building Department. Please take notice if you pull a demolition or building permit, you are still required to complete the demolition or repairs by the date set forth herein. Your time to demolish or repair is not extended by the six (6) month period under the Florida Building Code or stated in the permit to complete the permitted work. You must call the Demolition Office when the structure has been substantially repaired or demolished.
Request for Extension: Upon request, the time to demolish or repair the structure may be extended for good cause. In order to receive an extension of time, you must send a request in writing stating the basis of the request addressed to Attention: Code Enforcement Support and Demolition Manager, Polk County Code Enforcement Division, P.O. Box 9005, Drawer CS03, Bartow, Florida 33831-9005. If the request for extension is not granted within five (5) days of receipt by the Demolition Manager it shall be deemed denied.
Appeal: You have the right to appeal the determination of the Building Official to the Polk County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate by filing a written request for hearing within ten (10) days of the Notice of Demolition being published. The written request must be sent to Attention: Code Enforcement Support and Demolition Manager, Polk County Code Enforcement Division, P.O. Box 9005, Drawer CS03, Bartow, Florida 33831-9005, accompanied by a certified check or money order in the amount $25 (twenty-five dollars) for the appeal fee. Failure to appeal or to appear before the Special Magistrate shall be deemed a waiver of the owners rights to appeal this administrative action.
Any questions regarding this Notice of Demolition may be directed to the following:
Kimberley Siler,
Demolition Technician or
Tanya L. Tucker,
Code Enforcement Support &
Demolition Manager Code
Enforcement Division, Public Safety Group
P. O. Box 9005, Drawer CS03
Bartow, Florida 33831-9005
(863) 534-6054
Date 4/21/26
April 29, May 6, 2026    208471