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Mount Clemens creates Bureau of Fire Prevention and adopts inspection fee schedule
Summary
The commission approved an ordinance creating a Bureau of Fire Prevention and adopted a fee schedule; staff said initial inspection and the first reinspection will be free and the fee aims to reduce repeated reinspections and improve compliance.
The Mount Clemens City Commission voted Oct. 6 to create a Bureau of Fire Prevention within the Fire Department and approved a fee schedule for fire inspections intended to improve compliance and reduce repetitive reinspections.
City Manager Shipman and Fire Inspector Josh Rad told commissioners the city had no formal fee schedule previously and inspectors frequently had to return multiple times to secure compliance. Rad said repeated reinspections consume staff time and prevent inspections of higher‑risk buildings.
"We have over 700 businesses in the city," Rad said. "I've been in the position for three years and I still have not made it to all businesses due to the fact that the majority of my inspections are reinspections." He said the fee structure is intended to encourage timely correction; staff clarified that the first inspection and the first reinspection would be provided without charge.
The ordinance packet also included a proposal to extend retail hours for marijuana provisioning centers. Staff explained the two items were bundled for publication efficiency; commissioners said the measures are separate and asked for clearer packet language so the public will not be confused when the ordinances are posted.
Why it matters: A formal bureau and fee schedule aim to reduce repeated safety violations, free inspectors to reach higher‑risk facilities and create a mechanism for accountability. The commission emphasized education-first — staff will hand out inspection packets and explain requirements — while reserving fees to encourage compliance.
What’s next: The ordinance will be codified and the fee schedule implemented; staff said they will provide explanatory materials online. The commission approved the fee schedule and the creation of the Bureau of Fire Prevention by roll call.
