Marshall Council Tables Proposal to Pass Permit Review Fees onto Contractors

City administrator says current fees don't cover costs, prompting ordinance from Community Development and Code Committee

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Marshall City Council voted to table the first reading of an ordinance that would have allowed the city to pass the costs charged by a third-party inspection firm for plan inspection and permit reviews onto developers and contractors completing construction work. Several tradesmen and property owners attended the meeting, and two residents called on the council to table the ordinance during public comment.

Why it matters

The proposed ordinance was an attempt by the city to recover the difference between the current fees charged and the actual costs incurred for the third-party inspection services. Passing these fees onto contractors could impact the cost of construction projects in the city.

The details

If adopted, the ordinance would have allowed city staff to pass the costs charged by the Institute for Building Technology and Safety for plan inspection and permit reviews onto developers and contractors. City administrator JD Kehrman said the current fees charged by the city do not cover the actual costs, prompting the ordinance from the Community Development and Code Committee.

  • The Marshall City Council voted on Tuesday, Feb. 17 to table the first reading of the ordinance.
  • The Community Development and Code Committee is expected to review additional details at a future meeting that could result in changes to the proposed ordinance.

The players

JD Kehrman

The city administrator of Marshall, Missouri.

John Allen Jr

A member of the Community Development and Code Committee.

Harold Simmons

A member of the Community Development and Code Committee.

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What they’re saying

“After two residents called on the council to table to ordinance during public comment, second ward council Jim Papreck noted that he had received figures just prior to the meeting details costs that contractors could incur.”

— Jim Papreck, Second Ward Council Member (kmmo.com)

What’s next

The Community Development and Code Committee is expected to review additional details at a future meeting that could result in changes to the proposed ordinance.

The takeaway

The proposed ordinance to pass permit review fees onto contractors in Marshall, Missouri has been tabled for further review, highlighting the need to balance the city's costs with the impact on local construction projects and businesses.