Council ready to extend downtown Monroe fee waiver

The Monroe City Council has officially moved forward with plans to renew the city's downtown Monroe fee waiver program, voting to extend the policy another 12 months.

The first reading of the fee-waiver ordinance extension was passed unanimously on Tuesday, May 17.

Implemented last summer as a way to encourage the revitalization of Monroe's downtown core, the program waives fees for items like construction, building permits, site plan review, grading, demolition and tenant improvements. The 12-month program was set to expire on June 14, but will be extended for another year pending the second and final reading on Tuesday, May 24.

The extension was originally discussed on April 26, at which point council indicated it was in favor of moving forward.

In discussion, Monroe Community Development Director Dave Osaki presented facts and findings in relation to the success of the policy and its impacts on the city. Since last summer, a total of 30 permits have been issued, for a total of $9,778.79 in fees waived. The fees waived ranged from $45.19 to $1,451.63.

It is difficult to quantify total loss of revenue to the city, Osaki said, since it is possible a portion of the development activity may not have happened without the adoption of the policy.

Additionally, the city may have received benefit through increased sales tax revenues, which would serve to offset any incurred loss.-á -á

The policy is available to property and business owners within Monroe's official downtown area, which is the area bordered by Madison Street to the west, McDougall Street to the south, Al Borlin Park to the east and U.S. 2 to the north.

To view the fee-waiver ordinance, including a complete list of eligible activities, visit http://monroewa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/989.