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Leander City Council approved several changes to city permitting fees, including adding a fee waiver for pool demolition permits associated with alkali-silica reaction, also known as "concrete cancer."
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A new ordinance adopted by the Leander City Council has changed fees for some city services during its Oct. 1 board meeting. Among the changes, homeowners will see a fee waiver for seeking to demolish pools affected by alkali-silica reaction, or "concrete cancer."
In a nutshell
As part of the budget adoption process, city staff reviewed existing fees and presented several changes for Leander City Council members to consider.
Among the approved changes are:
Eliminating the city's notary service fee since the city no longer offers public notary services
Charging drivers who illegally pass school buses $25, regardless of whether the offense happens in a school zone or not
Streamlining fire department fees
The ordinance also introduced a fee waiver for those seeking to demolish and rebuild pools affected by alkali-silica reaction, or ASR, which is a chemical reaction that causes cracks and structural problems in concrete.
Since 2023, the city has issued 46 demolition permits involving pools, including 28 attributed to ASR, city documents state. In total, residents paid $5,310 for the 46 demolition permits, with an average cost of $115.43.
Mayor Na'Cole Thompson recommended offering reimbursement for residents affected by ASR who have already paid for demolition or pool permits, which has been included in the approved ordinance.
Dig in deeper
Most of the additional changes affect the development department, including:
Increasing the cost of traffic studies for developments done by outside consultants from $500 to $1000
Adding a $500 zoning determination fee
Increasing city consultation fees for projects to $250
Adding new fire code permit fees
Robin Griffin, executive director of development services, said the department evaluated surrounding communities to ensure Leander's fees were similar. She added that many of the new items are fees that already exist, but add clarity for customers.
The ordinance also increased jury duty pay from $6 to $10 per day, which is the same rate as Cedar Park. Round Rock pays jurors $15, Georgetown pays $6 and Liberty Hill does not provide pay, city documents state.
Looking ahead
City leaders said additional changes for parks and recreation fees will go before the council at a later date.
