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Agenda Item: 8(f) |
Prepared By: Chris Byrne, Fire Chief |
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Business: Consent Agenda Resolution |
Department: Fire Rescue |
Subject:
Title
Resolution - Approving Adjustments To The Fire Prevention & Protection Fee Schedule - Chris Byrne, Fire Chief, Fire Rescue Department
Body
BACKGROUND:
This item is presented to City Council for consideration of an update to the City’s Fire Prevention Fees associated with Fire Code Compliance Plan Review and Fire Code Compliance Fire Inspections through the permit process, Fire Inspections of existing occupancies and malfunctioning fire alarm systems.
The current Fire Prevention Fee schedule was last updated in 2017 upon City Council approval of Resolution #17-112.
Updating the City's Fire Prevention Fees is necessary to reflect the increased cost and complexity of providing fire prevention services since the last fee update in 2017. Rising personnel, training, equipment, and administrative costs, along with evolving Florida Fire Prevention Code requirements and advancements in fire protection technology, have increased the resources required for plan reviews, inspections, and code enforcement.
The proposed fee adjustments more accurately reflect the cost of providing these services while ensuring fees remain aligned with service demands and regulatory requirements. Staff recommends aligning permit-related fees with those of Collier County and neighboring fire districts to promote regional consistency, transparency, and fairness.
The proposed fee adjustments will also simplify the annual fire inspection fee schedule by replacing the current complex methodology with a streamlined model based on objective building characteristics, such as building size, number of stories, and fire protection systems. This approach improves consistency, transparency, and administrative efficiency while better reflecting the effort required to conduct inspections.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: Fire Prevention Fees serve as General Fund revenue to offset the personnel, equipment, and administrative costs associated with providing fire prevention services.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution 26-40.
POTENTIAL MOTION: “I move to approve Resolution 26-40.”