County officials prepare to present case to city council after dispute over building permit fees

Boone County committee members discussed an ongoing dispute with the City of Belvedere over whether the city will charge building permit fees to the county for several county projects. Committee members said they planned to appear at the forthcoming city-council meeting to present factual information about the county’s services and the economic benefits of cooperation.

Committee members expressed frustration that the mayor’s earlier decision had led to the current impasse and said the county should publicly, but professionally, present the scope of services it provides and the potential consequences for taxpayers and local economic development if the county and city cease cooperative practices. A county member said he had submitted a factual article to the local paper about the issue and had received supportive calls from former city officials and community members.

The committee discussed emphasizing the economic benefits of cooperation to companies considering locating in the county and to the broader taxpayer base. Several members urged a concise, fact-based presentation and warned against inflammatory language; one committee member said the county should be ready to decide on future approaches only after the city council acts on Monday.

The city-council meeting was scheduled for the coming Monday evening; committee members said they would attend and offer a short, factual presentation about the county’s positions and the financial interactions between the county and the city.