The city currently uses the State of Minnesota inspection fee schedule for electrical permits. The proposed fee changes will place the city at the mid-point of similar cities.  Some smaller permits will now be less expensive while large commercial projects may be more since there will now be a required plan review.

Currently, many failed permits do not get reviewed again.  The new fee schedule sets up a re-inspection fee.

The proposed changes also modify the commercial escrows for erosion control.  The current escrow is too small for commercial projects that can consist of acres and there is often no incentive to maintain stormwater control.  The city has had issues in the past with regulators on how this is inspected and now has a robust inspection program but the escrow does not match the required need for commercial projects.

Escrows are returned at the end of the project if the project is in compliance. 

The city on an annual average takes in more than $100,000 in electrical permit fees.  The changes will lower some fees for smaller electrical residential jobs but increase fees for larger commercial and industrial projects.