Pocomoke City discusses proposed permit and fee increases during budget work session

Pocomoke City mayor and council reviewed proposed changes to rates and fees during the fiscal‑year 2026 budget work session, including permit fees for electrical, plumbing and HVAC work, restaurant inspection charges, and fines for littering and other code violations. Staff presented recommended fee adjustments and council members asked for department justifications and enforcement assurances before adopting changes.

Staff noted the annexation fee remained at $2,000 and asked how long that rate had been in place. A council member recommended raising the electrical permit from $35 (a staff change referenced during the meeting) to $50; staff recommended setting plumbing, permanent and HVAC permits at $50 as well. Council members discussed ensuring that permits are actually obtained when work is completed and that licensed contractors are used; staff described the permit requirement as a safeguard to confirm contractors hold the required MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) license.

On restaurant inspections, staff proposed a $350 inspection fee and said inspections would occur twice per year; a previous fee referenced in the discussion was $2.50 (likely a transcription artifact) and staff asked the council to consider the higher, staff‑recommended amount. The council discussed whether the fee should be $350 per inspection and confirmed it would be charged per inspection. For noncompliance the city proposed escalating fines (example mentioned: a civil penalty that increases every 30 days of noncompliance from $100 to $200 per period was discussed). Littering fines were proposed to increase from $25 initially and $50 for subsequent violations to $100 and $200 respectively, and council members emphasized the need for police enforcement to make the changes effective.

Council members asked departments to present justification for fee changes in a follow‑up PowerPoint session and requested that staff confirm the departments have seen the proposed numbers. Where departments proposed fee increases, members asked for written rationales, enforcement plans and comparative benchmarks to support the changes. The council did not adopt final fee increases during this session; members generally signaled support for staff recommendations on several items but directed staff to return with departmental presentations, justifications and visuals at the next meeting.

The mayor and council then adjourned the work session and scheduled follow‑up presentations from departments to finalize rates and fees.