The Town of Innisfil normally relies on user fees and charges - building permits and building permit fees, program registrations, facility bookings, user fees, developer billings - for up to 40 percent of its non-tax revenues.
In 2020, the town expected $7.5 million in revenues from fees and charges. Then COVID-19 hit.
A staff report on Wednesday presented an updated list of town fees and charges for 2021-2022, assuming a return to normal.
Some fees, such as the cost of a fire permit, have remained unchanged. Others have been increased by the “cost of inflation” (about two percent) or have increased to reflect “market costs,” after comparison with other municipalities.
Most building department fees will be jumping by 8 percent – reflecting two percent for inflation, three percent as a ‘digital payment fee,’ and three percent for the digitalization of the application.
There are also a number of new fees and charges being proposed for 2021:
. It will cost $28 for each new tax roll number added or when ownership of a building changes. The new fee is expected to generate $60,000 in revenues per year, reflecting Innisfil’s active real estate market.
. A new ‘land disposition application fee’ is set at $500.
. Pop-up shops are now permitted in Innisfil parks. The application fee will be $125.
. The Community Kitchen at the Rizzardo Health & Wellness Centre is now open. For-profit organizations will pay $30 per hour for residents, $36 per hour for non-residents; non-profits pay $20/hour and $24/hour, respectively.
. The building department has added a number of new fees, including Alternate Solution Plan Review at $128.34 per hour (min. 4 hours); $750 for Certified Model Review; $100 for a Certificate of Official/Deed stamping; $500 for a pre-consultation meeting; $500 for a model home/sales pavilion application.
Building also proposed a new Lot Grading Deposit of $1,000, required when applying for a permit to build a garage, pool, deck or shed. The money is refundable, once grading is completed to the satisfaction of the Town.
Coun. Donna Orsatti was concerned by the high cost of the deposit. While agreeing that illegal changes to grade are an ongoing problem, she suggested the deposit might discourage residents from applying for permits.
“I just feel it’s too high, even though it is refundable,” said Orsatti, adding that she agreed with the idea of a deposit, “I just feel the fee is too high.”
She called for the deposit to be lowered to $500.
Coun. Alex Waters disagreed, suggested that a “bigger incentive” was needed to ensure residents follow the rules.
“I’ve had a few issues in my Ward, where people have filled in swales,” Waters said. “Sometimes you have to lead with a big stick - and they are going to get their money back.”
“If there isn’t something to get back that’s worthwhile getting back, they’re going to walk away,” agreed Coun. Bill Van Berkel. “We need a big stick to swing at these guys. I’m okay with $1,000. I’d make it more, if I had my way.”
“I’m just thinking of the seniors, the families, those trying to do it the right way,” said Orsatti, residents for whom the deposit fee would be a financial burden.
She was assured by Chief Building Official Barrie Vickers that “Building will use discretion, whether or not to collect the fee.” If a deck or shed doesn’t involve a change of grade, is not near a lot line or swale, “then it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask for the lot grading fee,” Vickers said. “But we would have that tool available to us.”
Orsatti’s proposed amendment, reducing the deposit to $500, was defeated.
The councillor raised other questions. A new $5000 Building Permit Deposit, refundable after final permit fees have been paid, was supposed to be a “concept item only,” not part of the fee schedule, Orsatti pointed out.
The item was removed from the list.
Orsatti also questioned a Planning department proposal to introduce a new revenue stream, through a new ‘VIP’ service.
Developers could pay more to be part of an accelerated stream, that would fast-track their Official Plan and Secondary Plan Amendments, Zoning By-law Amendments and Site Plan Control applications.
A standard OPA application will cost $3,175 in 2021; the ‘accelerated’ application would cost $4,500. Zoning By-law amendment applications will cost $2,550; accelerated, $3,825. Site plan control, otherwise $1,600 in 2021, would cost $2,400 to fast-track.
Coun. Orsatti wanted to make sure those who opt not to pay the extra cost to be part of the accelerated stream won’t be impacted. “I’m worrying that they’re going to have a delay, and it’s going to take longer for them to get their planning documents, if they don’t pay for the accelerated service.”
The accelerated service won’t be at the expense of other applicants, Senior Planner Mary Nordstrom said, but would be a “means of ensuring that those important projects that deliver significant community benefits, be it employment or sustainability,” move forward with minimal delay.
“It is dependent on staff availability and it would not be at the detriment of our other clients. It would be a value-added stream,” she said.
“Will we be hiring new staff for that accelerated service?” asked Coun. Waters. “Either you hire more staff to get the job done, or you end up creating a two-tiered service system for those who can afford it and those who can’t?”
He was advised by Director of Growth Tim Cane that there ae no plans to hire additional staff, “given the budgetary constraints.” Instead, the town would rely on overtime for existing staff, and external experts.
Council voted to receive the report, and approve the changes to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021. The By-law implementing the changes will be presented at the Oct. 14 meeting of Innisfil Council.
