The Trenton Times published the following article on October 16, 2013. To read the full article, click here.

Trenton council to vote on ordinances to raise fees for various inspections

By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton 
on October 16, 2013 at 7:59 PM, updated October 16, 2013 at 8:03 PM

TRENTON — People who want the city animal shelter to take responsibility for their animals would have to pay a fee to cover expenses, under a slate of fee changes up for consideration at City Council’s meeting tonight. The changes also cover retail and building occupancy licenses and fees.

The proposed fee increases from the Department of Inspections, Public Works and Health will help to increase revenues, said city Business Administrator Sam Hutchinson.

“I think what we have been doing as part of our revenue enhancement initiatives is looking at all of the aspects of the city’s financing,” Hutchinson said.

But the fee increases are more than just a way for the city to cash in, Hutchinson said.

“Many of our fees have not been upgraded in years,” he said. “So what we are trying to do is bring those fees more in line with what they should be in today’s market.”

Hutchinson added that the increases only allow the city to cover the costs associated with the inspections or services that are offered, not to “overburden residents.”

City Council will consider nine separate ordinances regarding different fees.