AUBURN – Electrical inspection fees will increase to bring them more in line with what Lewiston charges.

The new fees should increase revenues from about $13,000 per year to $56,000, said Planning Director Lee Jay Feldman.

“We have not adjusted our fees since 1991, so we felt that it was about time to look at them,” Feldman said.

The fees affect electrical inspections for new construction, alarm systems, battery backups and temporary setups such as fairs and carnivals.

For example, the new fee structure lets the city charge $50 for each new dwelling unit, and that’s the same as Lewiston charges. Before, the city charged $30 per unit.

“Most of the fees we issue now are very similar to Lewiston, so it will be easier for contractors that work on both sides of the river,” Feldman said.

Fees for additions are based on the actual wiring, and those increase moderately. Fees for wall panels, wiring outlets and appliances all increase a dollar or two. Swimming pool inspections go up from $25 to $40, small transformer inspections from $6 to $15 and fire and burglar alarm inspections from $10 to $15. The fee for inspecting the electrical hookup at fairs increases from $25 to $50.

But Feldman said the penalties for not getting inspected see the biggest increases. The city levies a fine of $100 for the first offense and $1,600 each time after that.

“Before, the fine was basically double the fee,” Feldman said. “So you would end up fining someone $10.”

Councilors accepted the new fees unanimously on first reading.

Since the fee schedule is an ordinance, however, it requires a second vote. Councilor Kelly Matzen moved that the council dispense with the second reading and a majority of his colleagues agreed. The council voted 4-3 to settle the fee matter Monday, with councilors Bob Mennealy, Bethel Shields and Belinda Gerry against them.

“I agree we need to update these fees, but I don’t think we need to do it tonight,” Gerry said. “The public has not had a chance to see these fees and say what they think.”

“If we haven’t changed them since 1991, I don’t see what difference a couple of weeks will make,” Mennealy said.

Councilors then voted 5-2 to pass the new fees on second reading, with Mennealy and Gerry in opposition.

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