MOUNT VERNON — A second hearing on proposed changes in sediment and erosion control, and storm water management schedule of fees took place Thursday morning at the Knox County Commissioners’ office. Attending the hearing, along with commissioners Bob Wise and Teresa Bemiller, were Clinton Township Trustee Gene Phillips, Rob Clendening of the Knox Soil and Water Conservation District and Darrell Severns of Knox County Regional Planning.
One item in the proposal is to change the fees for a residential lot from $100 to $25 for new construction. Additions to existing structures of 300 square feet or less would be exempt from the permitting fee process. Another item proposed was the elimination of fees for church or nonprofit groups.
“We’re just trying to reduce the burden on homeowners who want to build a new home,” said Bemiller, adding that she hasn’t received any feedback on the proposed changes.
“My stand is that we’re here for public service, regardless of any fee adjustments,” said Clendening. “Once we decide the fees, we need to sit down with all the affected parties and see if we need to do anything different on the distribution side.”
Severns said that he is in favor of reducing fees as far as making improvements, but added there was a concern relating to budget issues last year. “We just want to look out when planning our budget with getting further behind,” said Severns. “I’m not against this. We can look at ways to combat [budget issues].”
