SEBASTIAN – The Sebastian City Council is expected to vote tonight on whether or not it wants to slash its growth management fees by 50 percent.
The move would help new or expanding businesses save money when applying for permits, according to city staff.
If approved, the decreased fees would be in effect through Nov. 30, 2011.
The largest savings would be on permits for the Developments of Regional Impact, which originally costs $3,250. Under the new fee structure, developers could save $1,625.
City staff anticipates that such a move to cut the permit fees by 50 percent would also decrease the Growth Management Department’s budget by 50 percent.
“After review of this subject, staff proposes that in an effort to assist business start-up or redevelopment during this continued time of economic recession that these fees are reduced by 50%,” staff wrote. “The fees are imposed, generally, to recover the costs for statutory legal notice requirements and postage.”
The Sebastian City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Council Chambers, 1225 Main Street.
