Residents press council over construction fee schedule in Ordinance No. 12 public hearing

The council held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 12, an amendment to Chapter 119 of the city code that updates construction-related fees and the fee schedule. Local residents and a business owner questioned whether the change means higher out-of-pocket costs and criticized slow permitting turnaround. One commenter said the application process lacks a multi-copy format and said: "When you have to wait 4 months to get an application kind of filled" the fees are not justified by service.

Staff responded that some fee lines appear higher on paper because the city is bringing services in-house (previously paid to third parties), which will lower the total combined cost for residents. "Now we're getting rid of this piece, and we'll charge them $200. So you're actually saving a $100," a staff member said, describing the shift from third-party charges to a consolidated in-house fee. The council closed the public hearing after several questions and indicated the ordinance would proceed through its adoption steps.