Council narrows double-fee penalty in Badger State Cold Storage permit appeal

The Monroe Common Council revisited an appeal from CSKW concerning the building inspector's decision to apply double permit fees to the Badger State Cold Storage commercial project. Administrator Rindy reminded the council its role was to determine whether the city code and the inspector's decision should be upheld.

Multiple council members and a public commenter described confusion about submissions and whether state-approved plans had been shared with the inspector before work began. The public commenter said the situation was "messy" and urged better documentation. Council members discussed precedent, noting that if the council reversed fees broadly, prior payers could seek refunds; staff said 24 double fees were paid last year.

Councilmember motions produced competing proposals: one motion sought to remove double fees entirely; an alternative compromise motion limited double fees to the building-permit portion — an amount referred to in the meeting as $15,910. The clerk called the roll; the vote recorded one abstention (Alder Krennic) and the compromise passed. Councilmembers then requested the item be sent to the Judiciary & Ordinance committee for code revision to clarify how double fees should be applied in the future.