(Estherville)– Fees charged for building and zoning permits in Estherville are going up. City council members approved the increases earlier this month.
Dane Ross, the city’s Community Development Director, told the council the increases are needed in part, to keep up with inflation and the added time it takes to review and process the information. Councilman David Hovinga said he wanted to make sure any increases are actually warranted…
“Are we just categorically raising prices because of inflation or is it okay to just leave them the same since it’s covering what we need right now anyway?”
City Administrator Penny Clayton said the city needs to make sure it’s keeping up with the costs, especially in light of changes coming from the state…
“With the state modifications to the property tax system, we’re going to have a budget shortfall. This will be a needed component to making things balance.”
City officials in Estherville say it’s the first time since 1997 the fees have been adjusted. Ross says even with the increases, the fees Estherville charges are still below those of most other cities in the region.
