LK,
it's not due to budget problems, it's because it's an incredible revenue source for the towns. When the permit fees were first instituted, they were we supposed to be enough just to cover the costs of performing the inspections. But then, the towns realized that they could put the money in the general fund. It's essentially another tax. One town around here charges $71/100A service, $115/150A service and around$145/200A service. Tell me what the differnce in the inspection is? Why is there a difference in the inspection fees? Because they can.
Sorry to sound angry, but I am. Taxes are going through the roof everywhere. All of us in NJ feel it (from property taxes to auto insurance) Now they want to raise our sales tax to 7%.
I don't know about you, but we do electrical contracting, we don't print money. So every time a tax is raised, or a fee is raised, I have to get that money from somewhere. Typically it's our customers.
When does it end?
