(BRONSON) - Bronson is increasing their rental inspection program fees.
Monday afternoon, the Bronson City Council was presented with a proposal for the increase.
Bronson City Manager Brandon Mersman says after evaluating the revenue and expenditures for the rental property inspection program, the City needs to increase revenue to cover the expenses. The original fees were established when the program started in 2018, and Mersman says updated rates are necessary to ensure the program's fees and fines cover the costs of the City's contract with SAFEbuilt.
Mersman says many other Michigan cities charge similar or higher fees for initial and re-inspections, indicating the need to move Bronson's rates closer to market standards for service delivery.
Increasing fines, such as the Late Registration Fee and Ticket amount, serves as a more effective deterrent against non-compliance with the ordinance.
The current fine structure may not be sufficient to encourage timely registration or correction of violations. Mersman says increasing these penalties ensures that the cost of non-compliance is significantly higher than the cost of adhering to the program requirements.
The City Council unanimously approved the increase.