LAUREL HILL — Construction projects within city limits may soon come with a new fee.
The City Council approved on a 4-1 vote the first reading of an ordinance establishing a fire public safety facilities fee to be levied on new construction.
Ordinance 325 allows the city to collect a 20-cent per square foot residential construction fee, and 30 cents on commercial construction.
It replaces Ordinance 311, which assesses a flat $100 fee for any new construction. The new fee is expected to collect between $500 and $600 more on a typical new residence.
“The purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department has adequate funding to provide fire protection and fire safety services to both the existing and projected facilities in the city of Laurel Hill,” the ordinance stated.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Mayor Robby Adams said the council took the step to prepare for growth and unexpected contingencies within the volunteer fire department.
“It’s getting us more in line with other agencies around us,” Adams said.
Councilman Travis Dewrell questioned the matter.
“I really don't like the concept of being in line with other people,” Dewrell said at the Sept. 1 council meeting. “If I was in business and we got in cahoots with other companies, we'd go to jail for racketeering. I don't like charging rates just because someone else is charging it. I'd prefer to have no fees.”
Dewrell, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said fees such as the proposed assessment, will stifle development, whereas collecting ad valorem taxes will be a continuous flow of income to the city coffers.
“What I'm saying is if we can get someone to move in and start paying taxes, we'll get that money every year,” Dewrell said. “You can shear a sheep many times but you can only skin it once.”
NEEDED REVENUE
James Field, a volunteer Laurel Hill firefighter, said a source of dedicated fire department revenue is needed as their equipment ages.
“If I go to a call and I push that button and it doesn't work, a lawyer's going to be calling and asking why,” he said. “It doesn't do any good to drive that truck to a fire but it can't pump water.”
A provision of the ordinance requires the council to review the fee annually during the budget review process and adjust the amount collected, if needed.
The ordinance, passed at Thursday’s council meeting, provides exceptions to the fee for:
●Expansion of an existing residential structure that doesn’t create a new dwelling unit
●Remodeling or restoration that doesn’t create a “substantial additional impact” on municipal services
●Any construction already in progress that has received a valid building permit before the ordinance’s effective date.
The ordinance returns to the council at its Oct. 6 meeting for a second reading, at which time it could be voted into law.
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WHAT WE KNOW
An ordinance establishing a Laurel Hill Fire Public Improvement Trust Fund, benefiting the city’s volunteer fire department, passed on its first reading Sept. 1.
“The funds accumulated…shall be used only for the purpose of capital improvements, including but not limited to, the purchase of real property, buildings or structures, vehicles, fire and safety equipment, computers, software, telecommunications equipment, and other items necessary to provide adequate fire safety prevention and protection services,” the ordinance states. “The fire public safety facilities fee may also be used as matching funds for any grant or funding resources obtained for specific capital improvements for the fire department.”
An ordinance establishing a Laurel Hill Fire Public Improvement Trust Fund, benefiting the city’s volunteer fire department, passed on its first reading Sept. 1.
“The funds accumulated…shall be used only for the purpose of capital improvements, including but not limited to, the purchase of real property, buildings or structures, vehicles, fire and safety equipment, computers, software, telecommunications equipment, and other items necessary to provide adequate fire safety prevention and protection services,” the ordinance states. “The fire public safety facilities fee may also be used as matching funds for any grant or funding resources obtained for specific capital improvements for the fire department.”
FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES FEE
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fee would help fund Laurel Hill fire department