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County committee tentatively backs 20% DPIE fee increase plus 10% technology charge; council questions collections and enforcement
Summary
DPIE presented a proposal to raise permit and inspection fees by 20% and impose a uniform 10% technology fee; council members pressed the department on how increases would translate to enforcement staffing, collection mechanisms for unpaid fines and the variance across fee lines.
Kenny Battle and Laurie Paris presented CR‑87, a proposal to increase DPIE’s fee schedule by 20% and create a uniform 10% technology fee. Paris said the last similar increase was 10% in 2021 and that the proposal is intended to better align the county with surrounding jurisdictions while funding technology upgrades.
Councilmembers raised implementation questions: some asked whether the net effect is a straight 30% across the board (20% plus a 10% tech fee) and why some fees vary; Paris explained certain fees already had partial technology components so percentage changes vary by line. Members also pressed how additional revenue would be routed to increased inspections and enforcement staffing and how the county collects unpaid fines. Paris said increases would be used to support IT upgrades and that collections are handled by other county mechanisms (liens, tax sale, refinance/sale triggers), and acknowledged a need to present further collection proposals.
The committee moved a favorable recommendation in committee (motion by Vice Chair Harrison, second Olson) with recorded roll calls indicating an abstention by Councilmember Hawkins on explanation grounds; staff said more detailed breakdowns and follow‑up sessions will be provided to council members.
