County may impose fees for fire inspections; Fletcher managers warn of budget impact

Fletcher — Town officials warned council members that the county is considering charging municipalities for business fire inspections after the county reported a backlog of inspections.

The town manager told the council the county’s Emergency Management coordinator and fire marshal have discussed two possible fee methods: a flat fee per business or a fee based on facility square footage. The manager said the county reported more than 800 inspections behind schedule and that the county may ask towns to cover inspection costs.

“By statute we have to have to do that; now I guess we could...ask that they do it in the town, because there are towns that do charge,” the manager said, asking for more data on the county’s proposed methodology and timing so the town can prepare for potential budget impacts.

Council members stressed the need for firmer numbers. The manager said he has requested additional data from county staff, including clarification on whether the county will resume charging businesses for inspections (the county stopped collecting such fees years earlier) and whether proposed fees would be implemented in the next budget cycle.

The manager cautioned that if the county requires the town to pay for inspections this budget season, the town could face a “big hit” given tighter revenue projections. The council asked staff to continue discussions with county officials and to return with specifics for potential inclusion in upcoming budget deliberations.

Next steps: town staff will seek additional data from county officials on proposed fee structures and anticipated timing and report back to council.