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Hibbing commission rejects proposed $100 utility inspection fee for gas appliance hookups
Summary
After discussion about jurisdiction, duplication with the city’s $25 permit, and the proposed $100 charge for a roughly one-hour inspection, the commission voted to reject the proposed customer-inspection policy (CUST116); staff will not implement the $100 fee as written.
Commissioners debated a proposed utility inspection fee for gas appliance hookups (policy CUST116) during the Feb. 17 Hibbing Public Utilities meeting and ultimately rejected the policy.
The proposed policy would have allowed the utility to charge $100 for a home inspection tied to gas services in addition to a $25 building-permit fee collected by the City. Commissioner Babich and others said the $100 amount appeared steep for an inspection staff estimated would generally take about one hour. Commissioner Bayless questioned the permit flow between the city and the utility and said if charges remain, they should be consolidated into a single transaction rather than a separate city fee plus a utility charge.
Mr. Peterson explained the policy would make the utility whole when staff time is required to perform inspections for city-required permits. He also noted that emergency safety responses — such as gas-leak complaints — are handled without charge as a public-safety function.
After discussion, the commission moved to reject the proposed CUST116 policy. The chair recorded that the motion passed and that the policy "will not go into effect." Staff will follow up with the commission on next steps and additional information if the commission requests further review at a future meeting.
