Commissioners defeat building fees increase
3/9/2010The Lucas County Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted down a proposed 14 percent increase in building fees.
The commissioners voted 3-0 not to raise existing fees or create new fees, as was suggested by the commissioners' staff to make up for a revenue shortfall in the building inspection department.
The vote came following a public hearing in which about 15 local builders showed up to express opposition.
One builder, Kurt Miller, said the proposed fee on new alternative energy projects would cost about $700 for a typical residential solar energy installation - a cost he said would discourage such projects rather than encourage them.
The commissioners agreed to step up discussions with the city about consolidating building inspection services countywide.