Clark County commissioners OK new fire inspection fees

Clark County commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a new pricing method for fire inspections.

The county, which took heat from business owners last year after tripling fees to close a gap in the fire marshal’s budget, will now charge $130 an hour instead of a flat fee. Commissioners had discussed the new rate at two work sessions before formally adopting it on Tuesday.

Commissioner Steve Stuart said the move will lower the fees for the vast majority of people who pay them.

The county does annual inspections of 693 restaurants, hospitals, theaters, factories and other businesses in the unincorporated county and smaller cities.

The fire marshal’s office gives business owners written notice of inspections, and the letter includes a list of common violations. Charging an hourly rate will encourage owners to be in compliance, said Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway.

When the county raised fees last year, the delinquency rate rose 5 percent to 17 percent, resulting in $50,000 in lost or delayed revenue.

The new fees will be in effect May 10.