DBPR Unveils Business Information Portal

TALLAHASSEE, Fla — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) unveiled the state’s new Business Information Portal, designed to help Floridians set up and run a business in the Sunshine State. Using the new site (www.OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov, prospective business owners are taken step-by-step through everything from licensing a new food truck to opening the doors at a new salon or barbershop. The new site, which launched on Friday, June 30, also helps with state tax registration, licensure applications and other documentation.

Governor Rick Scott said, “Florida is the best place in the world to start a business, and DBPR’s new Business Information Portal makes it easier than ever for businesses to start and grow. The Business Information Portal gives every Floridian the guidance they need to start their company at the click of a button, empowering every entrepreneur to become a successful job creator. Over the past six years, we have worked every day to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation. I am proud that, working with our agencies and DBPR, we’ve been able to eliminate more than 4,800 burdensome regulations and help Florida’s business owners succeed.”

DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem said, “This new Business Information Portal will give prospective entrepreneurs an easy checklist for crafting their business, meeting licensing requirements and then opening the doors to their new venture. The information and assistance needed to get a business up and running in Florida is now a click away. There’s never been a better time to start your business in the Sunshine State.”

By entering a search term, the portal generates a step-by-step checklist to help prospective business owners understand local, state and federal requirements for the selected business category. The portal also features an eGuide that provides a basic overview to all the tools, tips and resources needed to open a business in Florida. The first section of the eGuide includes best practices and general information regarding different aspects of starting and operating a business in Florida. A quick reference guide is also included to walk you through the state requirements that fit most businesses. The final section contains information about state regulatory agencies and provides additional resources for entrepreneurs.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Director Cissy Proctor said, “Florida is making it easier for businesses to succeed and grow in our state by cutting taxes, reducing regulations and enhancing our business-friendly climate. The Business Information Portal is another great resource that proves our commitment to Florida businesses and the hardworking people who are investing in our communities.”

DBPR worked closely with the following state agencies and stakeholders to develop the Florida Business Information Portal: Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Citrus, Department of Economic Opportunity, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Financial Services, Department of Health, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Department of Management Services, Department of Revenue, Department of State, Division of Emergency Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Lottery, Office of Financial Regulation, Office of Insurance Regulation, and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network.

The new portal can be reached at www.OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov.

July 5, 2017 /  
DBPR Participates in Nationwide Initiative Targeting Unlicensed Contractors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), in cooperation with Columbia, Flagler and Volusia County Sheriffs’ Offices as well as various cities and townships, conducted three undercover stings during the month of June as part of the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies’ (NASCLA) nationwide initiative targeting unlicensed contractors. State agencies from Arizona, California, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and Washington also participated.

DBPR’s successful multi-agency efforts resulted in 10 Arrests, 7 Notices to Appear, 5 Charging Affidavits, 1 Citation, 36 Cease & Desist Orders and 56 additional cases to be opened against unlicensed subjects who advertised their services to perform that of a State Licensed Contractor. In addition, all of the unlicensed activity cases will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s office for possible criminal prosecution.

NASCLA’s initiative provided an opportunity to protect and educate consumers, deter illegal construction activity and level the playing field for honest, hardworking professionals in the construction industry on a national level.

“Combating unlicensed activity requires innovative, creative solutions and partnerships between state and local government,” said DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem. “I would like to thank NASCLA for partnering with us on this important initiative to educate consumers across the country about the dangers of unlicensed contractors.”

To view the entire release from NASCLA, please visit https://www.nascla.org/.

June 30, 2017 /  
Unlicensed Contractor Sting Nets Six

On Thursday, June 22, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Detectives arrested six subjects during an undercover sting targeting unlicensed contractors.

CCSO worked jointly with personnel from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) during the one day sting to highlight the need for the public to use due care when hiring contractors.

“Informed consumers are our greatest weapon against unlicensed contractors,” said Interim Secretary Matilde Miller of the FDBPR. “We hope this story inspires Florida consumers to educate themselves on the risk they assume when hiring an unlicensed professional.”

The six suspects, one Fort White man and five from outside our county, were all given court dates where they will answer to the misdemeanor charges of practicing contracting without a valid certificate or license and to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor or advertise himself or herself or a business organization as available to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor without being duly registered or certified. .

Charged were John Howard III, 36 of Middleburg, Joseph Rossi, 36 of Waldo, William Dold III, 48 of High Springs, Tricia Dold, 48 of High Springs, Jody Akins, 55 of Wellborn, and Gary Cleveland, 57 of Fort White.

Sheriff Mark Hunter stated, “Although not the typical investigations our Detectives conduct; I’m happy to work with our state partners to prevent our citizens from becoming victims of any crime.”

Originally published on the Columbia County Sherriff’s Office website.

June 22, 2017 /  
Volusia, Flagler Sheriff’s Offices, State Agencies target unlicensed contractors

For Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, it was a suspicious phone call to his home from a shady contractor shortly after he took office that set an undercover sting operation into motion. For Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, it was hearing from law-abiding builders and contractors frustrated with the crooked practices of unlicensed electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning repair technicians.

This week, in both counties, several of those unlicensed contractors were arrested during VCSO and FCSO sting operations in cooperation with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud and the State Attorney’s Office.

Both operations secured houses where an undercover detective posing as the homeowner placed calls to businesses advertising services that require the contractor to be licensed and insured. Through coordination with the state DBPR, detectives already knew all the targets were unlicensed. The operation in Volusia County, “Operation CON-tractor,” took place at a house in Deltona, while Flagler County’s “Operation Wrong Number” took place in Palm Coast.

One of those contractors, David Smith of Space Drain Cleaning, Repair and Maintenance, agreed to replace some leaky pipes under a kitchen sink. When the undercover detective asked if he could also replace a water heater, Smith replied, “I’m not supposed to, but I can put it in, but don’t say I did. I don’t have a license.” He later provided a written estimate and scheduled the work.

“They’re parasites – I can’t think of a better way to describe them,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Friday afternoon while his agency’s operation continued. “The message should get out there that if you’re doing this activity, there’s a chance that you’re going to be in handcuffs, there’s a chance you’re going to have to hire an attorney, and there’s a chance you’re going to wind up on the news tonight.”

“There is a reason that contractor licenses are required when performing these types of services,” Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said. “Not only does it ensure that the work is meeting safety standards required by building codes, but it protects the homeowner from shady service or the possibility of getting ripped off. Homeowners need to be aware of the risk they take when they hire someone who is not licensed.”

“We were proud to play an active role in this week’s sting in Volusia and Flagler counties, and we will continue our efforts to protect Florida’s consumers and licensed professionals,” said Interim DBPR Secretary Matilde Miller. “Unlicensed contractors lack the training, qualifications and insurance to complete a job properly, and they often leave consumers paying more to repair substandard work. At DBPR, we’re committed to bringing these unlicensed individuals into compliance with the law to help protect this state and its consumers.”

“Individuals who operate as contractors while unlicensed pose a multi-prong threat to Floridians,” added Florida CFO Jeff Atwater. “Not only are they performing work that they have not been properly trained to complete, they are likely operating without adequate workers’ compensation coverage, leaving both workers and homeowners at risk of exorbitant costs in the event of an on-the-job injury. A combination of investigative forces across state and local agencies play a huge role in protecting Florida’s honest, hard-working contractors, and I’m pleased to see another successful multi-agency effort to hold bad actors accountable.”

The Volusia Building Industry Association and Deltona City Commissioner Anita Bradford also were instrumental in conceiving and carrying out the operation.

The arrests included:

Volusia County

Robert Pagliuso, 62, Port Orange, FL

  • Sergeants Plumbing and Drain
  • Engaging in contracting business without certification
  • Practicing electrical contracting without certification
  • Failure to secure workers’ compensation coverage

David Smith, 72, Deltona, FL

  • Space Drain Cleaning Repair and Maintenance
  • Engaging in contracting business without certification
  • Failure to secure workers’ compensation coverage

Derek Baxter, 43, Deltona, FL

  • Way Cool Handyman
  • Engaging in contracting business without certification

Timothy J. Wolfe, 31, DeLand, FL

  • Knock It Out LLC
  • Engaging in contracting business without certification
  • Failure to secure workers’ compensation coverage
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • *Also arrested: Wolfe’s girlfriend, Michelle Varnadoe, 36, South Daytona, on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia

Flagler County

Jay Philip Estes, 55, Palm Coast, FL

  • Construction without a License
  • Cynthia Ann Haggerty, 45, Daytona Beach, FL
  • Construction without a License
  • Electrical without a License

Jonas Russell Rich, 35, Palatka, FL

  • Construction without a License
  • Construction without a License

Thomas J. Smith, 43, Port Orange, FL

  • Electrical without a License

Given a Notice to Appear:

Desiderio Carlos Carreiro, 38, Palm Coast, FL

  • Construction without a License
  • Electrical without a License

Originally published on the Volusia County Sherriff’s Office website.

June 16, 2017 /