Building and planning revenues dip; department rolls out interactive permit map

County staff reported that Building & Planning permit revenue for 2024 came in below the adopted budget but remained in positive operating position after investment income and lower expenses.

“Kathy Funk Baxter, finance director, reported the department budgeted about $1.69 million for licenses and permits and received about $1.44 million through year‑end,” Tracy (building and planning staff) said during the presentation. Tracy and finance staff said personnel and services expenditures were under budget and an investment income line item helped offset lower permit receipts.

Tracy told the board planning‑clearance applications — which are valid for five years and are required before most permits — slowed in December, with 54 planning applications in the month versus 74 the previous year. On building activity, staff said new construction was up while alteration work was down, and cautioned that a single large industrial project could materially change revenues.

Tracy described a new interactive map on the county website that links to permit records and inspector assignments. “On the front of our website, we have a map, an interactive map, and it'll tell you who's your inspector,” Tracy said. The tool shows permit details and fees paid and directs users to the permit system.

The department is extending two existing personal‑services agreements for third‑party plan review (items 6 and 7 on the agenda) to ensure timeliness if workload spikes. Tracy said the county uses third‑party reviewers as a contingency so that permitting timelines do not slow during busy periods.

Ending

Staff will monitor monthly application trends and bring contract extensions and any necessary amendments forward. Commissioners asked staff to return with details on large pending projects and the timing for comp‑plan updates.