What you need to know
Friendswood City Council voted unanimously to increase several fees at its Feb. 3 meeting, citing that many of the fees had not been updated in decades and that there was a need to pay for increased staff time spent conducting inspections.
The details
The current fees were last updated in 1995, Director of Community Development Aubrey Harbin said.
As an example, residential property owners will now pay the following increased fees for a 4,578 square-foot house:
- From $175 to $200 for electrical
- From $145 to $200 for plumbing
- From $105 to $200 for mechanical
- From $143 to $300 for electrical
- From $261 to $300 for plumbing
- From $290 to $300 for mechanical
- From $56 to $100 for electrical
- From $78 to $100 for plumbing
Permit fees for generators will be increased:
- From $57 to $100 for electrical
- From $35 to $100 for plumbing
The building reinspection fee will be increased from $35 to $100, while an application for a solicitor’s permit will run $50.
The city also approved changing its towing fee to a flat fee of $175—up from $85 plus $2 for each mile after 15 miles, documents show.
What they’re saying
City Manager Morad Kabiri said he felt increasing the fees could partially reduce the burden on taxpayers.
“If we appropriately charge for the services by the users who are availing themselves to it then you’re able to offset the burden on property taxes,” Kabiri said.
