Commissioners adopt Resolution 2025‑51, raising community development fees up to 5%

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 2025‑51 on July 15, approving a revised Community Development Department fee schedule that raises most fees by up to 5%.

David Callahan, director of Community Development, introduced the annual fee request and said the proposed increases "track exactly" with recommendations from Finance Director Brandy Falcon and were advertised as required by law. "In this particular case, we're asking almost across the board 5% for most everything we do," Callahan said.

During the public hearing portion, no members of the public spoke for or against the resolution. Commissioners discussed the justification. Chair Metoyer said rising costs and department efficiency informed his decision but added a policy preference that homeowners should not be bearing subsidy for fee‑based services: "I don't believe that the homeowner should be subsidizing, fee based services. I would like to see the fees eventually drop a little bit given the fact that we are working on, efficiency within the department. But I think right now, we're just dealing with inflation and the cost of the goods." Callahan and staff explained the increases reflected higher salaries and construction costs and that none of the proposed increases exceed 5%.

Commissioner Eberlein moved to approve Resolution 2025‑51; the motion was seconded and the clerk recorded the vote as passed. A version of the resolution was available for signature at the meeting.