Burton Finance Committee Meeting: Recommendation to Approve 2026 Fee Schedule - October 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM, the Burton Finance Committee convened to discuss and vote on a recommendation to the City Council regarding the updated 2026 fee schedule. The meeting was chaired by the Committee Chair, with members Mr. Johns, Mr. Wright, and Mrs. Conley present. The primary agenda item was the first comprehensive update to the city's fee schedule in approximately 14 years.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public offered comments during the designated Audience Participation period.

Discussion Items

• Administration Justification: An administration representative explained that many fees had not been updated in nearly 14 years. While acknowledging the tough economic climate, the representative stated that the city is not covering its costs for many services due to inflation, rising fixed costs, and increased labor costs. The city had previously managed by leaving positions unfilled and cutting overtime, but administration stated, "you can only kick it so far before you run out of kicks."
• Clerk's Office Overview: The City Clerk reviewed changes to administrative fees, noting the goal was to better align with current costs and nearby jurisdictions. Key changes included raising copy fees from $0.50 to $2.00 per page, small map fees from $5 to $10, large map fees from $10 to $20, and notarization fees from $5 to $10. Peddler application fees increased from $30 to $50. The Clerk noted that non-profit organizations located within the city are exempt from peddler fees.
• DPW and Other Departments: Mr. Abby presented changes for the Department of Public Works, Police, Fire, Assessor, and Treasurer. He highlighted that many fee increases were minimal (e.g., police accident reports from $5 to $7, deck permits from $25 to $35). A significant restructuring occurred in commercial plan review fees, moving from a flat fee to a tiered system based on square footage and construction costs. The Treasurer's NSF check fee was raised from $25 to $35 to match bank charges.
• Competitive Position: Councilman Wright provided an analysis showing that even with the increases, Burton's fees remain competitive compared to neighboring communities such as Davidson Township and Graham Blank Township, and many increases are below the Consumer Price Index.
• Future Review Schedule: The committee discussed the frequency of future fee schedule reviews. The administration recommended a review every two years to avoid large, painful adjustments. The committee agreed to aim for a Q1 review in February of 2028 to align with the city's budget preparation cycle.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on 2026 Fee Schedule: A motion was made to recommend the updated 2026 fee schedule to the City Council. The motion passed unanimously (3-0) with all members (Mr. Johns, Mr. Wright, Mrs. Conley) voting in favor.
• Commitment to Future Reviews: The committee agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of fees every two years, with the next review planned for the first quarter of 2028 to inform the upcoming fiscal year budget.