The agenda for the year’s first meeting of the Senoia City Council held Jan. 7 was relatively light. But considering that the city has not seen staggering effects from the ongoing recession, the vote to maintain the variety of fees charged for development could be beneficial for any new business prospects.
As for keeping the fee schedule as it was last year, City Manager Richard Ferry said the city saw no need to re-examine the fee structure.
A sampling of the fee schedule shows rezoning charges range from $250-450, depending on the acreage involved, while the charge for residential water meters is $750 with the charge for commercial ranging from $1,750-5,500. Sewer tap fees for both residential and commercial uses is $1,500 per tap.
Pertaining to the amounts charged, Ferry said the fee schedule is based on what it costs the city to perform the work noted in the various applications.
“If the cost of that service has not increased there is no need to raise the fees,” Ferry said.
Unlike much of metro Atlanta and Georgia, Senoia has been less effected by the recession that reportedly ended in mid-2009 but is still evidenced by falling property values in Coweta and Fayette counties, especially in Fayette.
And when it comes to business development, it is noteworthy that just a few years ago Senoia’s downtown area had only seven businesses open. Recession or not, today that number totals more than 40.
