Staff proposes fee-schedule changes, cites lower asbestos remediation quote

Staff (speaker 14) presented proposed changes to the city's fee schedule that would reduce fees for typical owner permits (solar, fences) while increasing fees for new development so that growth helps offset community impacts. The staff presentation compared Gunter's fees with neighboring jurisdictions and showed examples: a hypothetical 2,500 sq. ft. house rising from about $5,582 under the current schedule to roughly $6,525 under the proposed schedule (a difference of about $1,000 in the example provided).

On asbestos remediation for the field house, Director of Arts and Public Services Adam (speaker 10) said the initial vendor gave an inspection/quote of $37,000 but SERVPRO later provided an inspection and a contractor indicated remediation would "not be a maximum of $17,000," reducing the expected remediation cost. Adam said he considered the earlier vendor's failure to provide an inspection report a red flag and that the lower quote is welcome given tight budgets.

Councilmembers asked about competitive impacts on builders and were repeatedly told the new fees were designed to keep Gunter competitive with neighboring towns and to shift some of the permit burden to new development rather than existing residents. Staff emphasized this item is discussion-only tonight and will be brought back for possible adoption at the next meeting.