Council asks staff to reduce proposed commercial inspection fee to $150 pending further analysis

Council reviewed a resolution amending the schedule of fees, focusing on a new commercial inspection fee proposed by staff.

The draft schedule originally proposed a $300 initial inspection fee. Multiple council members said that jump from a prior $0 fee felt steep and suggested reducing the initial fee to $150 (or another lower flat rate) while staff improves time‑tracking and evaluates moving to an hourly structure in future. One council member recommended an hourly model to better reflect building size and inspection complexity.

The Fire Chief explained the $300 figure was informed by a prior citywide cost‑allocation study and current personnel and program costs; the chief characterized the proposal as part of a gradual move toward increased cost recovery and said staff will continue evaluating program efficiency and time tracking. Council discussed reinspection policy as well (first reinspection proposed at no charge, with additional reinspections potentially carrying fees) and suggested more punitive fees for repeated reinspections if compliance delays continue.

After discussion the council directed staff to prepare the resolution with the initial fee changed to $150 for the packet due Thursday. Staff confirmed $300 had been included in the adopted FY27 budget as a revenue estimate but agreed to update the resolution accordingly.

Why it matters: The fee would shift a portion of inspection costs from residential taxpayers to commercial property owners; starting level and structure (flat vs hourly) affect equity between small and large businesses and the amount of local cost recovery.

What’s next: Staff will revise the resolution to reflect a $150 initial fee for Thursday’s packet and continue work on time‑tracking and future fee-structure options.