Council for the Municipality of West Grey has approved an increase to building permit fees.
Following a public meeting on April 1, staff were asked to bring forward a bylaw to amend the current building permit fees. Once passed, the new fees would go into effect on June 1.
Director of Community and Development Karl Schipprack said it was time for an increase, as building reserves had decreased.
"Prior to my starting here in 2019, we did have a fairly healthy reserve, so we haven't been in a position that we needed to increase our fees since 2016. That's partially due to the reserves and partially due to increased revenue through large building projects and higher than expected building permit fees."
The building reserves have decreased from over $555,000 in 2021 to an estimated $234,000 last year.
Schipprack told council that their fees are lagging behind others in the area.
"I did compare it to 13 municipalities," he said. "Currently our fees are at the bottom, we're well below the lowest with $2,000 for an average house, with the highest being Hanover at approximately $7,000. My proposal for the new fees would put as third from the bottom with an average of $3,000 per house, but I believe the fees I'm proposing would adequately fund the department for a few years."
The changes include increasing the minimum permit fee from $150 to $250.
No comments from the public were received during the meeting.
