By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

LIBERTY TWP. - Residents and developers in this booming Butler County township could soon pay more to build new homes or start a business at home.

Township trustees could raise the fees for zoning certificates, a move that would generate more than $40,000 a year for the township's zoning department, the township estimates. Last month, trustees asked staff to review the current fees and analyze those of comparable communities.

Recommendations made by the zoning department's staff include an increase from $200 to $250 for certificates for single-family homes and a $50 charge for processing lot splits, zoning certification letters and certificates for home occupations, such as a salon or consulting business.

Trustee President Christine Matacic said fees have not been increased for several years.

A significant rise in the township's population, which grew by 147 percent in the 1990s and is now estimated at 28,000 residents, caused a jump in the department's costs, she said.

The 2004 budget for the township's zoning department is $232,271, including $174,671 for labor. The 2005 budget for the department is estimated at $257,000. Through August, there have been 475 single-family residence certificates issued by the township in 2004.

The department has two full-time and two part-time employees with plans to add a zoning and planning director in the next couple of months.

Clerk Roger Reynolds said the township has to figure out a way to make the zoning department self-sufficient, based on the fees it charges.

"Somewhere we're missing out because what we're receiving and what we're spending is out of line," he said.

A comparison with other local communities that are growing, including Deerfield and Fairfield townships, shows Liberty Township has the highest fee schedule for multi-family residence permits at $400 per unit, but has the lowest cost in three other areas, Liberty officials said.

"I really don't care what the other townships charge, I think we've got to make sure that department pays its way," said trustee Bob Shelley.

The board will review the recommendations before the next regular meeting Sept. 20.

By the numbers

$40,000 ...the yearly amount that would be generated for the zoning department if fees for zoning certificates are increased

$250 ...suggested fee for certificates for single-family homes

$50 ...suggested charge for processing lot splits, zoning certification letters and certificates for home occupations

28,000 ...estimated number of residents in Liberty Township