Antioch fire district waives inspection fees

The First Fire Protection District of Antioch Township will not be charging annual safety inspection fees for its 2020-21 budget cycle as a way to help struggling businesses.

The district collects $50 to $1,000 per business annually for safety inspections based on the classification and on-site hazards. Anticipated revenue for these inspections is about $20,000 per year, according to Chief Jon Cokefair.

However, the fire district board recently unanimously instructed Cokefair to adjust the 2020-21 budget to reflect the reduction in revenue. The fees will be revisited during the next budget cycle.

"We are very concerned with our future obligations, however we need to do what we can to help ensure our businesses will reopen safely," board President Dean Pedersen said.