County fees for sewer, inspections will increase
By Andrew Bell
Published in News on June 20, 2006 1:49 PM
Although Wayne County residents will not see a property tax increase in the coming year, they can expect to see a variety of fees for county services go up.
During a budget work session Monday, County Manager Lee Smith outlined several increases that will go into effect at the beginning of the fiscal year July 1.
The increase that will have the broadest effect involves the county sewer rates.
Customers now pay $10.70 per 1,000 gallons and a maintenance fee of $3.60 per 1,000 gallons. The new rates require people pay $12.31 per 1,000 gallons and a maintenance fee of $4.60 per 1,000 gallons.
The residential landfill tipping fee will increase from $3 to $5. The $23 per ton landfill tipping fee will not change.
In the county's planning department, residents requesting a zoning change can expect to pay an additional $100 for zoning changes on property less than three acres. The increase will make the fee $300.
Junkyard applications and renewals also will go up. The $50 application and permit fee will double. All other renewal fees were increased by $15 to $50.
Inspection fees also will increase.
For construction projects that cost up to $15,000, $25,000 and $50,000, the inspections department will charge $10 more than before, moving permits rates to $60, $70 and $110, respectively. For any construction that costs more than $50,000, building permits will cost a quarter more at $2.25 per $1,000 of construction cost. Any mobile home requiring a building permit will be charged $45 -- a $10 increase.
Electrical fees are also scheduled to increase with the permanent meter pole, change of service, shop, swimming pool, accessory building, billboard and residential additions increasing by $5 to $40 each. Any residence electrical fees will now be $60 instead of $50. Hog and poultry houses, along with bulk barns, greenhouses and other agricultural buildings, will cost $40 plus an additional $10 for the building in electrical fees. The same electrical fees will increase $10 for mobile homes, bringing the total to $45. Heating and air conditioning fees will increase by $5 to $45 for a heating and air conditioning unit, $35 for a heating unit only and for an air conditioning unit only. The county will also implement a minimum mechanical permit fee of $35.
Commercial electrical fees up to $1,000 will be eliminated. Instead, a flat fee of $45 will be set for construction costs up to $3,000. Another flat fee of $50 will also be set for heating and air conditioning commercial fees up to $15,000.
County officials will also implement a minimum plumbing permit fee of $35 and mobile home plumbing permits will increase $10 to $45. Commercial plumbing rates up to $3,000 of construction costs will be eliminated for a flat fee of $45, as well.
The plumbing fee for a day care center, rest home or school will cost $25 more in the next year. The $60 fee will include a fire inspection o the initial inspection.
Operational permits for establishments such as amusement buildings, carnivals, trade shows and fireworks stands will increase $10 to $60. Construction permits for compressed gas, flammable liquids, industrial ovens and private fire hydrants, among other things will also increase to $60. Construction permits will be issued for a six-month period and are considered void after the construction is complete or the permit expires.