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County staff propose 8.5% automated fee increase for building services; board asks staff to pursue permit‑fee options for planning and code enforcement
Summary
Planning and Development Services recommended an 8.5% annual fee adjustment for building services and development review to keep pace with costs, and presented scenarios for adding a small valuation‑based fee to fund community planning and code compliance. Commissioners asked staff to refine scenarios and consult developers.
Washington County Planning and Development Services told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 that the department needs an annual fee adjustment to cover rising personnel and technology costs and to rebuild fund reserves, and presented optional valuation‑based permit fees to cover general‑fund reductions for community planning and land‑use code compliance.
Why it matters: The division runs lean relative to cities and has previously used significant fee increases and service adjustments to stabilize operations. Commissioners gave staff direction to proceed with the proposed 8.5% annual adjustment for building and development review fees and to return with more detailed scenarios, stakeholder feedback and a possible option for full cost recovery for the code‑compliance function.
Steven Roberts, the county's land use and transportation director, said Planning and Development Services…
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