Surveyor proposes new fee ordinance for drainage services; commissioners approve first reading

DeKalb County's surveyor presented a new fee ordinance on Sept. 2 that would set fees for plan review and permitting related to drainage and right-of-way encroachments. Commissioners approved the measure on first reading and directed staff to refine compliance language before the second reading.

The proposed fee schedule would direct collected fees into a cumulative maintenance drain account to fund drain work across the county. Proposed fees included: a $100 submission fee for drainage plan review; $100 for a proof-of-address request (commonly required for alcohol licensing); $25 per drain crossing for utility permits or right-of-way encroachment reviews; $100 for variance requests to allow a permanent structure within a right-of-way; and a noncompliance penalty consisting of a $100 fine, cost of permit, and $25 per day until the issue is brought into compliance.

Commissioners and staff discussed several details: when noncompliance daily fines would begin (on permit submittal or final approval), how to account for collection costs and attorney fees, and whether the permit submittal date should trigger the noncompliance clock to avoid penalizing applicants who have begun the permitting process. The surveyor agreed to add clarifying language about the timing (to start upon permit submittal) and to include collection-cost language before the second reading.

On a motion and second, commissioners approved the fee ordinance on its first reading and asked the surveyor and county attorney to finalize language for a second reading.