Eagle Pass City Council approves new fire service billing ordinance and updated fee schedule

The City Council of Eagle Pass, Texas, convened on March 4, 2025, to discuss and approve several amendments to the city's fee schedules, primarily focusing on updates to permit and inspection fees for various services.

The meeting began with a review of proposed updates to existing fees, which had not been revised since 2012. The council aimed to adjust these fees to better align with current costs. A significant addition discussed was the introduction of a $100 permit fee for solar panel installations, which was deemed necessary to cover the costs associated with plan reviews and inspections. This fee is notably lower than the $200 charged by neighboring Laredo, reflecting the council's intent to remain competitive while ensuring adequate funding for services.

Following this, the council considered an ordinance amending the fee schedule for fire services. The Eagle Pass Fire Department proposed a new billing structure based on FEMA rates, which would allow the city to charge insurance companies for certain fire response incidents, particularly those requiring extensive resources and time. The chief emphasized that billing would primarily target properties outside city limits and would not impose charges on residents without insurance. The council discussed the operational aspects of this billing process, including the role of a billing company, Emergicon, which would handle the collection of fees.

The council also addressed inspection fees related to fire code compliance, with initial inspections set at $40 for buildings up to 2,500 square feet. The chief clarified that re-inspections would not incur additional charges unless non-compliance was found during the initial inspection.

After thorough discussions, the council unanimously approved the amendments to the fee schedules, including the solar panel permit fee and the fire service billing structure. The meeting concluded with a review of plumbing inspection fees, marking the final item on the agenda for fee amendments.

Overall, the council's decisions reflect a strategic approach to updating city ordinances to ensure financial sustainability while maintaining fair practices for residents and businesses. The next steps will involve implementing these changes and monitoring their impact on city operations and revenue.