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Commissioners approve temporary abatement of building-permit fees to draw down reserves
Summary
Walton County approved a resolution to abate specified building permit fees until the building department's reserves fall to an allowable four-year average; staff described permitted uses for the funds and said the county followed statutory limits.
Walton County commissioners voted to approve a resolution temporarily abating certain building permit fees so the county can spend down reserves that exceed the statutory four-year average that applies to the building department fund.
What the board approved: County staff said the building department is a self-supporting fund and may carry forward reserves but not more than a four-year average of its budget. The county used reserves to build a new building department facility, and staff told commissioners that current reserves remain above the statutory allowable amount. The board approved a motion to abate the fees for the coming fiscal year to reduce the fund balance to the permitted level.
Permitted uses and constraints: Staff and commissioners discussed what the building permit reserves may fund. County staff said those funds are restricted by statute to building-code functions—enforcement and application of the Florida Building Code, building department capital and operational expenses, training, inspections and similar building-code activities. Staff said some administrative cost allocations (HR, clerk's office) are also charged to the fund through standard cost-allocation practices. The board sought clarity about refunds to permit applicants who recently paid fees; staff said they had not found a fair methodology for refunding prior payments.
Board discussion: Commissioners asked about reserve amounts and audit controls. Staff said the fund balance was “in excess” after the facility construction and estimated reserves at roughly $8,000,000; staff said annual auditing occurs and that the four-year average calculation triggers the abatement step. Commissioners requested reporting and said they expected staff to return with detailed fund accounting and controls as the abatement proceeds.
Ending: The board approved the abatement by voice vote. Staff said they would follow statutory guidance while spending down the reserves and report back on the fund balance.
