BIDDEFORD — On Monday, Code Enforcement Officer Roby Fecteau presented a proposal to the policy committee to increase fees for construction permits and renewals in the city.

Under the proposal, the fees would increase from the current $11 to $14 per $1,000 of value.

According to Fecteau, several years ago, Biddeford’s permit rates were lower than other area communities, then Biddeford raised its rates and “other communities followed suit.”

Now, he said, Biddeford’s permit rates are again behind some other nearby communities such as South Portland and Ogunquit.

Even with the proposed rate increase, said Fecteau, acquiring permits in South Portland would be more expensive than in Biddeford.

Now is an appropriate time to look to increase the fees, he said.

The request to increase fees was initiated by City Manager John Bubier as part of the budget process, Fecteau said.

Bubier requested that Fecteau look at ways to increase revenue for the city through permit fees charged by the code enforcement office, Fecteau said. It’s difficult to calculate exactly how much money will be raised through permits, because it’s not known how much new construction will take place, he said.

However, some of the expected new revenue that would result if the permit fees are raised are included in the revenue portion of the fiscal year 2015 budget that is being worked on by city council members in their role as the budget committee.

In order to increase the permit fees, the proposal must be passed by city council.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].