Board members debate city building-permit fees for county projects; county explores intergovernmental options

Board members debated whether the county should pay building-permit fees to the City of Belvidere for county projects and discussed options for intergovernmental arrangements to reduce permit costs.

Commissioner Dave Wilson and others asked that permit-cost estimates be recorded in meeting minutes; staff said the Ringling Johnson change-order figure does not include permit costs and that a typical municipal permit could add roughly 2% (estimated at $15,000) to the project. Commissioner Kern noted that a previous county project paid about $3,000 for outsourced plan review on a $2 million project and contrasted that with the city's formula-based fees on larger projects.

Board members discussed whether the county's building department could take on plan-review duties for certain county projects under an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the city, which would require mutual approval. Some board members framed the issue as one of intergovernmental cooperation and fairness because county-funded facilities serve both city and county residents. The City of Belvidere representatives were not present in the transcript; board members said they will raise the issue with city officials and seek clarification of fee formulas. No formal action was taken; the item remains under discussion.