Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council debates $28,000 fire-suppression connection fee; reduction motion dies, issue tabled for workshop
Summary
Councilmember Todd Thomas said a $28,000 non-consumptive fire-suppression connection fee could prevent new businesses from locating in Preston. A motion to cut the fee to $14,000 died for lack of a second; council voted 3-1 to table the matter and directed staff to schedule a fee-schedule workshop and ask Keller Associates to update buy-in calculations.
Councilmember Todd Thomas opened discussion on fire-connection fees, arguing the current non-consumptive fire suppression line fee, recently raised to $28,000, could dissuade prospective businesses: "the fee may be the deciding force against a new business opening in Preston, and right out of the gate, being charged $28,000.00 for a fire suppression line." Thomas moved to reduce the fee to $14,000, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Terry Larson then moved, and Councilmember Todd Thomas seconded, to table the discussion, schedule a fee-schedule workshop, and direct Director Shawn Oliverson to contact Keller Associates to update buy-in calculations for all water connection sizes. The vote passed 3-1 (Todd Thomas Aye; Terry Larson Aye; Brent Dodge Nay; Chris Larsen Aye). Council did not change the fee at the Oct. 13 meeting and requested updated calculations and a future workshop.
