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Cascade council tables proposed $250 commercial building-permit fee amid overlap concerns with outside reviewer
Summary
City staff proposed a $250 commercial/industrial building-permit fee to cover plan-review and inspection costs when ECIA performs reviews. Council members raised concerns the fee could duplicate ECIA charges and voted to table the resolution pending a review of ECIA billing and the city's agreement.
City staff presented a proposal on April 28, 2025, to add a $250 commercial/industrial 'actual building permit' fee intended to cover the city’s portion of review and inspection costs when the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) performs plan review and inspections. The council debated whether the charge would duplicate fees already billed by ECIA and deferred action pending further review.
Why it matters: The proposed fee is intended to ensure the city does not lose money when outside entities perform plan review or inspections. Council members said they wanted to avoid double-charging applicants and to confirm what ECIA is currently billing Cascade before adopting a local fee.
What was proposed: A city staff member explained that ECIA performs plan reviews, site visits, and final inspections and recommended adding a $250 fee for commercial/industrial buildings “just like we do for residential” to cover those costs.
Concerns from council members: Several council members questioned whether the city is duplicating work already done by ECIA and whether the city needs to retain the outside reviewer if internal staff perform overlapping tasks. One council member said, “They’re getting paid pretty good for doing something that’s already done. It kinda doubles up a little bit.” Another noted the council should verify what ECIA charges Cascade under the 2022 agreement before moving forward.
Council action and next steps: Council member Weber moved to table Resolution 43-25 pending staff review of ECIA charges and the 2022 agreement; Gail seconded the motion. The motion to table passed on roll call. Staff said they would monitor upcoming building permit activity, obtain the ECIA fee detail, and return with clarified costs so the council could decide whether to adopt the $250 fee or modify it.
What remains unresolved: The exact hourly rate or line-item fees ECIA charges Cascade were not specified during the discussion; city staff said they will check the 2022 agreement and bring concrete billing numbers back to council. The tabling decision means no new fee is in effect.
