By Shanon Burke
SEQUIM — In an effort to create a balanced budget for 2006, City Manager Bill Elliott has proposed increasing the city’s plan check fee 13-fold from $60 to almost $830.
The plan check fee offsets the cost of examining building plans submitted to the city.
Last week, the Sequim City Council postponed approval of the budget as city officials sought ways to come up with another $400,000 in new revenue or equivalent budget cuts.
Elliott introduced the plan check fee increase to help bridge the $400,000 gap, he said.
City charges lower fee
A comparison of surrounding municipalities showed Sequim to be far lower in the fee it charges, Elliott said.
Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties all charge a $827.94 plan check fee for a $150,000 house.
Port Angeles charges $518.90 for a $150,000 house.
Elliott recommended Sequim increase its fee from $60 to $827.94 for a $150,000 house beginning in 2006.
He said the fee increase would bring in an estimated $265,000 next year if the city maintains its current growth rate.
Elliott said the city is anticipating about 200 new homes being built next year.
