Lincoln County approves fee increases, cites tight budget and merges community development into public works

Lincoln County commissioners on Tuesday approved new community development fees effective July 1, authorized a separate pre-schedule revenue increase and voted to merge the Community Development office back into the Department of Public Works amid warnings about rising health-insurance costs and other budget pressures.

County finance staff reported the general fund balance was under $1 million at the end of April and noted a Federal Emergency Management Agency obligation of $2.9 million tied to Hurricane Malin is under state review and expected to return to the county within about 12 to 16 weeks. Commissioners said those proceeds are not yet available for operating purposes and cited a roughly 42% projected jump in the county’s employee health-insurance costs — described by staff as about a $253,000 increase — as a central reason to seek new revenue.

The fee adjustments cover a range of Community Development functions including occupational tax licenses and building-permit fees. County staff told commissioners their current rate schedule has not been raised in roughly 20 years and that an update would place Lincoln County’s fees near or slightly below comparable neighboring counties. Commissioners adopted the new fee schedule to take effect July 1 as part of the FY26 budget cycle.

In separate action the board approved a “pre-schedule increase,” described by commissioners as part of the broader effort to generate needed revenue to close budget gaps driven by rising personnel and benefit costs. The board recorded the motion and adopted the increase; formal implementation details will be integrated into the FY26 budget process.

Commissioners also voted to reorganize county operations by combining Community Development and Public Works. Under the change, Public Works Director Greg Seymour will lead a single Public Works Department; the Community Development director (identified in meeting materials as Stephanie Eichner) will become deputy director with primary responsibility for planning and permitting work within the new structure. Commissioners said the change restores an earlier pre-2009 organizational structure and is intended to streamline permitting and reduce duplication.

Commissioners emphasized the limits of local authority over several cost drivers, including mandated employee benefits. The board discussed that roughly 86% of county expenditures are influenced by state or federal requirements and that local revenue options may be needed to address gaps.

The measures passed by voice vote. Commissioners who made or seconded motions during the related votes included Commissioner Tankersley (mover on the pre-schedule increase) and Commissioner Antonakis (second on that motion), and Commissioner Clyde (mover) with Commissioner Tankersley (second) on the reorganization motion. The fee-adoption motion was carried by voice vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.

County staff and commissioners said they will present implementation details for the fee adjustments and the FY26 budget during upcoming budget sessions and will post fee schedules on the county website.

Looking ahead, the board deferred one agenda item (Item 16) to the June meeting at the request of Commissioner Tankersley.