FIRE INSPECTION FEES MAY INCREASE

SIOUX CITY BUSINESSES WILL SOON BE PAYING MORE FOR FIRE INSPECTION FEES UNDER A NEW PROPOSAL.

FIRE CHIEF TOM EVERETT SAYS HE WAS ASKED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO UPGRADE THE FEE SCALE, WHICH HASN'T CHANGED IN DECADES:

EVERETT SAYS BUSINESSES WILL BE CREDITED IF THEY HAVE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, ALARMS OR OTHER SAFETY FEATURES. THE DEPARTMENT DOES AROUND 3000 BUSINESS INSPECTIONS ANNUALLY.

THE NEW FEES COULD RUN FROM 25 TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE BUSINESS.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE PLAN IN MONDAY'S STUDY SESSION.