Town plans permit fee increase
By Chris Simon

It could get a little more expensive to build in Innisfil this year.

A town committee gave provisional approval for an increase in building permit application fees, during deliberations for the proposed 2008 operating budget. While the increase needs to approved by council, the proposed five per cent jump is expected to boost town revenues by $38,200 per year.

As part of the plan, council has asked staff to investigate the cost of building permit fees in neighbouring municipalities.

"I'd like to get additional information and see what our neighbours are doing," said councillor Bill Van Berkel.

Last year, the town earned nearly $758,000 in building permit fee revenue. An increase in planned construction would see that amount rise to about $823,000, without the five per cent hike.

A report from Hemson Consulting has suggested town building permit fees could be increased by about 87.7 per cent.

Councillor Lynn Dollin hopes the increases won't affect construction in the town.

"I don't want to price myself out of the market," she said. "We need to know what New (Tecumseth) and other municipalities are at."