Ortonville- Implementation of building application fees, as well as reinspection fees, will insure the building department is self-funding, or as close to breaking even as possible.
By a 4-1 vote at their Jan. 25 meeting, the village council approved amendments to the building department fee schedules. Trustees Debbie Baker, Dan Eschmann, Courtney McClerren and Coleen Skornicka voted yes. Trustee Tonja Brice voted no. Council President Wayne Wills and Trustee Keith Dylus were absent.
‘I understand the need, but there seem to be large jumps in every area,? said Brice, who is concerned that some may residents won’t seek required permits. ‘The economy is bad, there has been a decrease in income.?
Building Director Bill Dinnan said when residents don’t get permits, he finds it more often has to do with their unwillingness to pay higher taxes.
The amended schedule will have residents pay $3.50 per $1,000 valuation of any project. The 50 cent increase is the first amendment to the fee schedule in many years. Reinspection fees will increase from $30 to $50. For the first time, residents will also pay a building department application fee of $100. The minimum permit fee for any building work is $125 and the application fee would be credited to the existing permit fee if work proceeds, but would not be refunded if an applicant doesn’t go forward.
‘It’s basically a deposit, but if you don’t come back, we keep it for all the work we did? a plan review, paperwork, etc.,? said Dinnan. ‘It’s good business sense. The reality is, the building department is ing department is a business. It doesn’t make a profit, but it shouldn’t be going in the hole.?
He notes that in 2007, the building department had $42,626 in revenue, but $144,426 in expenses. Dinnan arrived as building department director in 2009 and requested and received approval for increasing the fees for Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission meetings to cover costs.
The village and township’s building permit fees are the lowest of surrounding communities, even with the increases. Dinnan will request the township board also approve amendments to their fee schedule next month so the municipalities will have matching fees.
‘We typically don’t charge more than what it costs to provide the service,? Dinnan said. ‘The fees are changing to cover the cost of the work performed.?