Chief: new commercial inspection fee and expanded parking enforcement would add revenue without cutting frontline response

Portland's fire chief told the finance committee on April 16 that the department is proposing a new fee for inspections of new commercial buildings intended to offset inspector time and boost fire prevention revenue. The chief said the fee would take effect if approved by the council (the chief said approval would be sought at the June 1 council meeting).

Brendan O'Connell and public works director Mike Murray also discussed revenue increases from expanded parking enforcement, higher parking rates and permitting/inspection fee changes. Brendan said parking enforcement and permit fee changes are a notable revenue source this year and that the Parks & Recreation enterprise has new projected revenues tied to the Rising Eddy Pool opening in June.

The fire chief emphasized that frontline field operations (firefighters and paramedics) are being preserved and that administrative and code enforcement sections would absorb some reductions. He also described a legislative and billing issue tied to delegated review status that had previously reduced revenues for delegated‑review cities; he said the department expects to recapture those revenues by aligning billing practices with peer cities.

Public works described a two‑year gasoline contract at $2.34 per gallon for about 370,000 gallons, and fleet staff said they are still resolving the diesel contract; there was no change in residential trash bag pricing reported.