Norwalk : New, Higher Fees Proposed for More Than 100 Services

The Norwalk City Council has tentatively approved an ordinance to increase fees and establish new fees affecting more than 100 city services.

Under the proposed ordinance, for example, the city would begin charging $80 to remove abandoned vehicles from private property. Currently, there is no charge. The council will hold a public hearing June 4 before making a final decision on the fees.

The council action is based on a study by cost-control consultant Management Services Institute. The study indicated that the city could generate about $915,000 annually by passing on the cost of some services to the users. The services range from construction inspections to pet neutering. Many of the proposed user fees would be discounted for low-income senior citizens and disabled or handicapped residents.