Niagara Falls council votes for 3-percent jump
Niagara Falls city council has voted to increase building permit fees paid by developers by 3% annually, starting next year.
Councillor Lori Lococo questioned this, saying as they raise fees, the province is pushing to decrease fees to help development.
City CAO Jason Burgess pointed out developers pay, since they benefit from construction. "I wish I could wave my magic wand, and lower those costs, but every year my salaries go up, and my other costs go up, and I have to recover at some point in time."
He added this is to avoid more burden put on taxpayers, and the fees are for cost recovery of construction.
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo expressed his concern.
"I want to stick with the plan that development pays for development. I don't want to go backwards where we get to the point in which development is on the backs of the taxpayers," he said.
Councillor Wayne Thompson added the 3-percent will help hire staff to ensure building permits go out the door quicker.
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