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Deschutes County proposes modest fee increases as planning and code enforcement stabilize
Summary
Community Development reported stabilization after earlier staff cuts and presented modest fee increases and reserve transfers to restore building safety reserves; leaders highlighted new ‘pre‑code‑enforcement’ notices to speed compliance.
Peter Gutowski, director of Deschutes County Community Development, told the budget committee the department is stabilizing after three years of reduced development activity and staff turnover and that modest fee increases and reserve transfers for FY26 restore financial footing for planning, building and on‑site wastewater services.
Nut graf: Community Development is proposing targeted fee increases (15–20% for some divisions) and using reserves to smooth operations while monitoring legislative mandates that will require further code work; staff also described a new automated preliminary code‑enforcement notice that helps prompt property owners to correct violations faster.
Gutowski said the department grew lean through layoffs and held vacancies in recent years and now has rebuilt staffing in critical areas — notably adding two building‑safety FTEs for commercial plan review and inspections. He told commissioners the department’s operating model is consistent with serving both county residents and the cities of Lapine and Sisters under contracts.
On enforcement, the department has implemented a “pre‑code enforcement notice”: when a complaint is recorded, the sheriff’s deputy confirms the condition and a customized letter is sent to the property owner notifying them of the violation and advising steps to comply. Gutowski said the notice is posted on public land‑record services and often prompts voluntary compliance or faster resolution of disputes.
On fees, Gutowski proposed selective increases — for example, electrical and on‑site wastewater fees up 20% and planning/administration fees up 15% — estimating about $640,000 in additional revenue. Building safety fees were not raised; the building safety reserve will be partially drawn down and rebalanced.
The planning division is also moving quickly to implement Senate Bill 1013 (RV rental dwellings) and other state law changes; Gutowski warned that multiple state rule‑making actions this legislative session could require substantial staff time and code updates.
Ending: The department will return with details as state rules and vendor estimates arrive; commissioners said they wanted to see mid‑year updates, especially if state legislation changes implementation priorities or new funding emerges.
