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Local contractors say county building and health permitting delays are costing projects; supervisors ask staff to seek state help
Summary
A county contractor told the Board that zoning, health‑department and plan-review delays cost weeks of project time and created unrecoverable expenses; supervisors directed county staff to contact state health officials and local legislators for help and asked staff to explore interim solutions.
A resident and developer told the Franklin County Board that permit processing delays, particularly involving the local health department, are causing lost time and money for small developers.
Contractor Brian Arrington described a recent subdivision and septic/health permitting sequence that had sat idle for weeks despite his having paid for soils work and a survey. He said submitted approvals "sat on a desk" and that staff told him the health department had 60 days to process plans; Arrington said staff had left paperwork sitting beyond that window and that it cost him buyers and money.
Supervisors discussed the issue and asked county administration to pursue remedies. They agreed by consensus to ask staff to draft a letter and contact the state health department and the county’s legislative delegation to see whether the county can accelerate reviews or obtain clarity on staffing and processing expectations. Supervisors also suggested staff explore interim measures such as coordinating concurrent county reviews where possible and considering whether the treasurer and finance systems could provide temporary accommodations while agency reviews are pending.
County Administrator Chris Whitlow said staff would reach out to the health department and the county’s state legislators and report back with proposed actions. Several supervisors cited the problem as an impediment to the county’s economic development goals and said the county should seek a practical remedy given permitting is sometimes controlled by state offices outside the county’s immediate authority.
No formal vote was taken; staff were asked to report back with options.
