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Council advances fire‑safety inspection ordinance and adopts fee schedule to fund fire and life‑safety inspector
Summary
On a first reading the council approved Ordinance 3254 to add periodic fire‑safety inspection authority; it also adopted a new fire‑department fee schedule intended to fund a full‑time fire and life‑safety inspector, and adjusted lift‑assist and cost‑recovery fees.
The Ottumwa City Council advanced Ordinance No. 3254 on first consideration to add periodic fire‑safety inspection sections to the city code and adopted Resolution No. 26, 2026, establishing a revised fire‑department fee schedule intended to fund a new full‑time fire and life‑safety position.
Chief Kanto told the council the ordinance clarifies inspection authority and references the adopted international fire code rather than a specific code year so the ordinance does not need frequent updates. He said existing buildings will continue to be inspected for egress and safety, and that the city does not automatically require existing structures to be brought to new‑construction code unless an occupancy change or major renovation triggers that requirement.
On the fee schedule, the chief explained three fee categories — administrative charges, fire‑prevention fees (including plan review and square‑footage‑based inspections), and emergency response/cost‑recovery fees. The schedule includes a modified approach to lift‑assist calls: first three incidents for a resident are exempt, the fourth through sixth instances carry a $100 fee, and the seventh and subsequent incidents carry a $250 fee. Chief Kanto said the fees are intended to cover inspections, reinspections and the salary/benefits of a 40‑hour fire and life‑safety inspector who will conduct plan review, inspections, education and compliance tasks rather than have on‑duty firefighting staff perform those duties.
Resident Katie Howard spoke in favor of the inspection fee approach, saying it helps prevent incidents and offsets training and equipment costs; she also suggested outreach and grant opportunities to help elderly residents afford services that reduce lift‑assist calls.
Councilors asked about timing and implementation; Chief Kanto said the finance department and staff will put administrative billing processes in place and the fees are expected to support the inspector by the following fiscal year. The council approved the fee schedule and the ordinance passed first consideration.
