During a city meeting held on Thursday, July 25, the City Council approved an ordinance adopting a new structure in which fees are determined and collected for residential construction permits within the city’s jurisdiction. This change will increase the charge rate from an average of approximately a little over $0.20 cents per square foot to $0.40 cents per square foot. That will ultimately increase fees to developers and possibly trickle down.
The new state law requires government agencies to change the structure of determination from the value of property to a rate based on square feet. City Engineer Vanessa Rosales explained that there was also a Parkland Dedication Fee that was tacked on to the building permit fees, but was a small amount as compared to the proposed fees being considered.
Not all City Council members were in agreement with the proposed increased change.
City Councilman Luis Sifuentes spoke out against the proposed increase of $0.40 cents. “That’s going to increase fees to developers. I don’t agree with it,” said Sifuentes.
Councilwoman Yolanda Ramon requested that such changes to any fees be looked into, on a yearly basis, and not all of a sudden - thus catching developers, contractors, and citizens off guard.
“We need to make sure that we look into it every single year.
If we do it every two to three years, it isn’t a shock to the developers and everyone,” said Ramon. “We need to make sure that doesn’t happen.” City Manager George Antuna was in agreement that such changes be looked at on a yearly basis in order to soften any blow that could come from possible increases to fees.
“That’s an extremely good point, Councilwoman. Basically what we’re doing now is catching up,” said Antuna.
“I understand that, but we can’t be caught up in that situation anymore,” added Ramon.
The Eagle Pass City Council voted in favor of the proposed increase as pushed by state law on a split vote.
Councilman Sifuentes voted against the proposed increase of $0.40 per square feet on building permits.