Zoning permits could soon cost more

FINDLAY — A proposal that would increase Findlay's zoning permit fees is heading for committee. At Tuesday's regular meeting of Findlay City Council, Service-Safety Director Rob Martin said increasing the fees will help offset the cost of operating the zoning department. In a letter to council, dated July 2, Martin said city zoning fees were last updated in 2016 and 2009. "With that, these fees have not kept pace with evolving market conditions nor the operational costs associated with specific zoning administration activities," Martin said. Martin said a recent market comparison study of peer communities and other regional municipalities showed the city's rates are significantly lower than the market average. Findlay charges fees for new construction and additions permits, flood permits and permits for improvements like fences and decks. Permits are also required for signs. There are also permit fees for development, zoning amendments, site planning, appeals, design reviews, zoning verification, alley or street vacation, annexation petitions and rezoning petitions. The current fee schedule is attached to the online version of this story at www.thecourier.com. "This gap means that the overall tax base is currently subsidizing the direct costs of specific zoning services, a practice not aligned with best financial management principles," Martin said. "... our goal is to implement a fee structure that allows zoning services to offset their associated operational costs." A similar argument was made by Martin in May with a proposal that would double the city's parking fines. Martin said the cost of maintaining the Findlay Police Department's Parking Enforcement Division, including equipment, staffing and administration, has steadily increased, while the fines have remained unchanged. Findlay began subsidizing the division to correct a $10,000 operating deficit after city workers received their pay raise for this year. The proposed changes to the parking fee structure would include: • Increasing the initial base timed violation fine from $5 to $10.• Subsequent hourly violations would increase by $5 increments.• Increasing the initial base parking violation fine from $10 to $20.• Late fee for delinquent payment exceeding 72 hours would remain at $25.• Fine structure for handicap parking violations would remain at $250. The parking fee proposal was referred to council's Streets, Sidewalks and Parking Committee for review. So far, there has been no recommendation from the committee. Committee members include councilmen Josh Palmer, R-7, chairman, Jim Niemeyer, R-6, and Grant Russel, R-at-large. The proposed zoning permit fee change was referred to council's Planning and Zoning Committee on Tuesday. Committee members include Dennis Hellmann, R-2, Dan DeArment, R-4, Jim Niemeyer, R-6, and Grant Russel, R-at-large, with Brian Bauman, R-5, chairman. "While Findlay remains committed to supporting residents and businesses with a fair and competitive fee structure, it is equally important that our rates reflect the realities of current administrative and economic conditions, ensuring that those who benefit directly from specific services contribute appropriately," Martin said. Details of the proposed zoning fee structure were not included on Tuesday's agenda. Martin said city administrators will present details of the proposed changes during the committee discussion. "A committee-level discussion will provide an opportunity for a more thorough review and ensure transparency and coordination as we move forward," he said.