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County building officials urge supervisors to oppose bill capping building-permit fees at $500
Summary
Luke Maloney and other county building staff warned the Linn County Board that proposed Senate study bill 11 14 would cap building-permit fees at $500 per project and sharply reduce permit revenue, and supervisors agreed to ask county lobbyists to register opposition.
Luke Maloney, Linn County building official, told the Board of Supervisors about Senate study bill 11 14, which would cap building-permit fees at $500 per project.
"This is Senate study bill 11 14 that would cap the permit fee for all building permits, residential, commercial at $500 per project," Maloney said, adding the change would not distinguish between a single-family home and a multi-year utility-scale solar project.
Charlie, a county building staff member who spoke after Maloney, estimated the proposal could cut permit revenue by at least 90 percent, reducing Linn County's permits revenue from roughly $1 million to about $100,000. He provided examples including a recent utility-scale solar project that generated roughly $150,000 in permit fees and required weekly inspections over two years.
Board members directed staff and the county's lobbyists to register opposition with the legislature and to provide talking points to the lobby team for an imminent subcommittee hearing. Supervisors said they would contact their lobbyists immediately to request registration against the bill.
The board did not take a formal vote during the meeting but recorded consensus to oppose the measure and to have staff notify county lobbyists ahead of a noon subcommittee meeting.
