The Building Division is presenting an updated fee schedule to the City Council for approval. The last fee increase was approved in 2006. The Division is proposing an increase in the minimum fee charged and an approximate two percent (2%) increase in other building permit fees. Also included is some language that cleans up the existing resolution.

The minimum fees for projects valued under $2,000 do not cover the service that is provided. Each permit requires at least one inspection and sometimes two or three. Every time new codes are adopted (approximately every three years) there is more to learn, more to review and more to inspect. This equates to more time on each project. The Building Divison is recommending increasing the minimum fee for projects valued under $1,000 to $30.00. For projects valued between $1,001 and $2,000, the minimum fee will be set at $45.00.

The most recent code change included the adoption of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. This adoption added one inspection to the ones currently performed. For the current fiscal year, the Building Division has covered the costs of the extra inspection by utilizing over $30,000 in grant money provided through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. This funding source will not be available in the coming year. The 2% increase will help offset the cost to enforce the new energy code requirements.

Should the City Council approve the new fee schedule, Building Division revenues are expected to increase by $20,000 to $25,000.