Story County planning department outlines budget updates, proposes mileage for volunteers and consultant study on building code

Leanne Harder, director of Planning and Development for Story County, presented reestimated revenues and proposed expenditure changes at the department’s Feb. 5 budget work session, including a proposed mileage reimbursement for volunteer board members, a split $15,000 contractual allotment to study adoption of a building code, and timing adjustments tied to a new permitting system rollout.

Harder said the department will reestimate watershed/flood-protection permit revenue to $1,200 for the current fiscal year and left the next-year estimate at $800. She said building-permit revenue is uncertain: "While we've had a flurry of activity ... we're also starting to hear I am going to defer anything until several months down the road," and that the department hopes to meet a $30,000 reestimated target but will not increase next-year projections at this time.

Harder told the board the department will send about 21 letters next week to applicants who had conceptual reviews dating to February 2021 but have not proceeded. She said some properties have proceeded with land use activity without permits, and that such cases will affect revenue lines through code enforcement work.

Harder said the department can reestimate the "violation of county ordinance" line to $1,000…