The proposed ordinance that will mandate the inspection of rental property in Bellevue has advanced through its second of three required readings, with officials still undecided about what fees to charge.

During Tuesday’s regular council meeting, council member Jane Braunlich expressed concern about the financial impact of charging the proposed $45 per unit to people who own large apartment buildings. She suggested charging $25 for the first unit, and $10 for each subsequent unit in the building that is inspected.

Director of administrative services Doug Sample said that the rental inspection is expected to be similar to the occupancy permit inspection for which the borough charges $45. The fee is expected to cover the cost of the code enforcement officer’s time and administrative expenses.

Mayor George Doscher and council member Mark Helbling said that the ordinance, whatever the fees, was long overdue.

“We’re not doing anything new that other communities aren’t doing, and we’re way behind,” Helbling said.

Doscher said that 60 percent of the borough’s properties were rentals, and that the situation with bad properties has just gotten worse in the 10 years council has been debating an inspection ordinance.