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Council approves emergency change to fire-alarm permit fees; schedules further vote on tap/access fees
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 25-31 to revise the building permit fee schedule for fire alarms as an emergency measure and gave second reading to changes in water access/tap fees; staff cited competitive fee levels and concern that high fees would deter projects.
WILMINGTON, Ohio — Wilmington City Council on Thursday passed an emergency ordinance lowering certain building permit fees for fire alarm inspections and gave second reading to an amendment to water access and tap fees.
Ordinance 25-31, described in the agenda as “amending certain sections in part 13 (Building Code) to provide for a revision in the building permit fee schedule regarding fire alarms,” passed after council voted to suspend the rules and carry it by second and third readings in the same meeting. Council members said the fees previously in the code were uncompetitive for large projects.
Service Director Mr. Crow told council that the existing fees could reach “$45,000” for large facilities with a million square feet for fire-alarm inspections, a level he said would discourage businesses from locating or expanding in Wilmington. “If you have a million square foot building, you’re talking about $45,000…that’s just not gonna fly,” Crow said. Council members said the change aims to keep business coming to the city.
Council also conducted second reading on Ordinance 25-29, an amendment to section 9.27.25 (access and tap fees). Councilman Schlebach and staff discussed the change in committee; council agreed to hold the third reading at the next meeting to allow additional time for review. Council did not vote to adopt Ordinance 25-29 at this meeting.
Outcome: Ordinance 25-31 passed and was declared an emergency; Ordinance 25-29 received a second reading and will return for third reading at the next meeting.
