Escambia County looking to ‘reset’ Contractor Competency Board

Escambia County is taking a closer look at a board charged with oversight of construction contractors in the county after an “unprecedented” amount of complaints against contractor Matt Banks took several months to compile before his license was revoked.

Last week, Escambia County revoked Bank’s county-issued contractor’s license after he failed to pay back customers for work he did not complete.

Banks, who owns Banks Construction, also lost his license in Santa Rosa County, filed for bankruptcy in federal court, and was charged by the Pensacola Police Department with a contractor failing to pay a refund, a third-degree felony.

Another contractor, Jesse LaCoste, who owns LaCoste Construction Group LLC and is Banks’ brother-in-law, also had his license revoked in both counties for failing to pay restitution to former clients.

Escambia County Contractor Competency Board issued orders for both contractors to pay restitution or face loss of their license. However, it took several months and multiple hearings to get to that point.

In the meantime, Banks and LaCoste were able to continue to solicit business. Escambia County commissioners said changes should be made, so a similar situation does not happen in the future.