City Council will be looking at a resolution during tonight’s work session in regards to adjusting permit fees for the Department of Development.

According to the agenda for tonight’s meeting, the city has not adjusted permit fees in several years, while salaries and administrative costs have traditionally increased at a rate of 2% or more each year and program income has remained generally the same. As the labor costs of staff review, issuing permits, and completing before, progress, and final inspections have increased, fees have not. This increase will help offset the increased cost of administrative costs.

A permit fee schedule and update is also included with the agenda, outlining the following increases for permits; a 20% increase for new residential structures of one or two family dwellings, a 10% increase for new commercial or industrial buildings or structures, a 10% increase for additions to existing commercial or industrial buildings or structures, a 20% increase for alternations or renovations to existing commercial structures, a 10% increase for sign permits, a 20% increase for swimming pools, 20% increase for demolitions, and a 10% increase on encroachments. These increases will also be included and affect other categories of permits that fall under the same residential, commercial, renovations, etc. classification.

There will be no individual committee meetings tonight, due to the beginning of budget presentations to the city council. Budget presentations begin at 6 p.m. in the police training room of city hall. Tonight’s presentations will be from the comptroller, police, and fire departments. The work session will begin like normal at 7:30 p.m.