Eaton County approves higher construction and festival inspection fees after debate from residents and staff

Eaton County commissioners voted June 18 to approve an updated construction code fee schedule that increases many permit and inspection charges, including a new $250 fee for festival inspections.

The vote followed public comment from festival organizers who said the new festival fee and the way it was applied risked hurting long‑running community events. "I encourage you to table this until some further investigation has been completed," resident Jody Pruden told the board, urging more review of code enforcement practices. Steve Hayes, president of the Vermontville Maple Syrup Corporation, said his group had been charged twice and asked the board to review whether festival organizers — not carnival operators — should be assessed the fee.

County code official Chris Garrison, who presented the fee changes at the Ways and Means Committee and at the June 18 meeting, described the scope of the festival inspection and the reason for the charge. "I do anywhere from 2 to 3 inspections. That's why it's $250," Garrison said, explaining the office inspects concession areas, temporary panels, generators and other electrical safety elements but not ride mechanicals. He said the state ride inspector conducts the annual ride inspection; local staff check generators and temporary electrical setups each time a location is set up.

Controller Connie Sobe and other county staff told commissioners the fee changes are intended to stabilize the code enforcement budget. "I want to make sure that my department is financially stable," Garrison said at one point, adding he thought the department would not be able to operate without additional fee revenue if construction activity slowed.

Commissioners heard concerns about inconsistency and communication: Mary Anne Hayes, a festival volunteer, said the festival corporation had not been told in a clear way that it needed to obtain the permit and asked the county to define what counts as a "festival" for permitting purposes. Several commissioners and the code office acknowledged errors in how last year's permits appeared online and apologized for confusing messaging.

The Ways and Means Committee had moved the fee schedule to the full board; during the county meeting a motion to adopt the updated construction code fees was seconded and approved without a recorded roll‑call tally in the public transcript. The board also voted earlier in committee to refer festival and similar nonroutine resolution matters to committee for review before they go on the full agenda.

Why it matters: the hikes affect residents, small organizers and builders who pay permit and inspection fees; they also fund the county's code enforcement operations. Organizers of small, long‑running festivals said the added cost could strain volunteer groups and local businesses that rely on festival revenue.

The board did not adopt new, countywide definitions for "festival" at the meeting. Staff told commissioners they would provide follow‑up information and state ride‑inspector guidance by email and in committee documents. The county approved the fee schedule and moved on to other business.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue clarifying which entity (carnival operator, ride owner or festival organizer) is responsible for permits and to provide more written guidance; several public commenters said they planned to follow up with county staff for corrections or appeals.