Irma-repair permit fees waived; other bills rising

Bills for property taxes, utilities, drainage, garbage collection and riding in an ambulance are rising in Fort Lauderdale.

But at a final budget hearing this week, city property owners did catch one break: permit fees will be waived for the next 90 days for those repairing damage from Hurricane Irma.

For the next 90 days, permits for air conditioning replacement and window and door repairs will be waived. The same goes for roofing structural work, shed replacement, car canopy work and seawall repair.

No permits will be required for previously permitted and inspected work such as fence repair, minor roof work, sprinkler system tweaks, pool screen enclosure fixes, window and door part repairs, and work on existing docks and moorings.

Licensed contractors will be allowed to start work on repairs up to the first inspection and will have 48 hours after the fact to submit permit applications, under the 90-day policy change, which aims to speed along hurricane repairs.

All new construction or remodeling will require permits.

The city also will suspend code enforcement activity during the 90-day period.

“I can’t imagine anything more important to our neighbors that have been hit by this storm,” Mayor Jack Seiler said, “that we not take advantage that they’ve been hit by this storm, and waive these fees.”

The city’s $766.4 million total budget lays out spending for the next year, starting Oct. 1.

Seiler, presiding over his final budget before term limits force him from the post, said the city has a relatively low tax rate, a strong credit rating, and healthy reserves.

But some of his colleagues, Robert McKinzie, Bruce Roberts and Dean Trantalis, voiced concerns that the city is behind in maintaining infrastructure — mainly water-sewer pipes and parts.

“I don’t want some of these programs initiated until they’re brought back before the commission, until we have our infrastructure issues more settled,” Roberts said, voting for the budget with that caveat.

“We’re kicking the can down the street and ignoring our infrastructure,” Trantalis said.

Roberts, who is running for mayor in the spring elections, said the city should consider finally raising its property tax rate next year. For this year, all but Trantalis agreed to set it at the same rate used for 11 years running.

With property values soaring, the rate results in a tax increase for most property owners.