Thursday, October 30, 2008

Monroe County Commission candidate Bill Estes' condominium association has filed a lien against the property for $5,478 in unpaid condo fees, late fees, attorneys fees and collection agency charges, court records state.

The Shipyard Condominium Association Inc. filed court papers two weeks ago alleging that Estes had not paid his $555 monthly assessment from March to August for his Southard Street condo in Truman Annex. The condo association has sent Estes several notices requesting payment, according to court documents.

Estes on Wednesday said he has every intention of paying the fees, from the money he expects to receive when he sells the condo. Estes said he has had a short sale in the works since March. He said he has been trying to sell the condo for about three years, since he purchased a home in New Town.

Estes said some people in the real estate industry, whom he declined to name, advised him not to pay the condo fees until the condo sells, so the fees could be paid from the purchase price.

"There is no way to pay this until the sale goes through," Estes said.

The condo association has not added new monthly condo fees since it placed the lien on the property in August, Estes said.

Estes is running against Republican Kim Wigington for the District 1 County Commission seat, which represents residents from Key West to Shark Key.

Estes, who has been active in the Democratic party for years, is the Democratic party chairman for Monroe County, and a former candidate for Key West mayor.

tohara@keysnews.com