Perry council votes to amend fire fees

PERRY — The Perry City Council voted Tuesday to reduce the fire fee for places of worship and charge apartment complexes by the number of units.

The change, which the ordinance states is “in the best interests of fairness,” comes after several pastors and church representatives voiced concerns about the fees in multiple meetings.

“Each one of the churches should see some type of reduction in their fee,” said City Manager Lee Gilmour.

The risk factor classification for all churches in the city are “significant” and “maximum,” the most expensive of the three-tiered fee schedule. Collectively, fees for those two categories range from $237 to $587, according to the schedule.

The resolution, which passed unanimously, will classify all places of worship as “moderate” risk factors, meaning such establishments will pay a fee ranging from $112 to $225.

Additionally, apartment complexes will pay a fee based on the number of units. Fire Chief Joel Gray said some apartment complexes with 100 units are paying the same maximum amount as those complexes with 300 units.

In another matter, Police Chief Steve Lynn announced that Perry ranked No. 17 on SafeWise’s list of the safest 40 cities in Georgia.

“We’re looking at that as good news, of course,” Lynn told council members. “We did move up six spaces from No. 23 to No. 17 based on our crime rate.”

The list is created combining crime data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with independent research, according to SafeWise, a home security company.

At Lynn’s request, the City Council also voted to hire two full-time police officers and five part-time officers.

“That will bring us to 37 full-time officers and six part-time,” Lynn said.

In other news, a public hearing was held for a special zoning exception. Dexter Davis requested permission to start a mission at 400 Riley St. just off General Courtney Hodges Boulevard.

“I grew up on those streets, I know what they’re about (and) what’s going on in that community,” said Davis, the only person from the public to speak on the matter. “If I can be a help to that community and help provide for that community that’s something I want to give back to.”

Davis said if the facility grows into a church, he would want to move the facility to another building.

Councilman Willie King suggested the City Council vote on the matter Tuesday, however all other council members voted to table the vote until next meeting.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 8:21 PM with the headline "Perry council votes to amend fire fees ."