Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Collier County adopts proposed building-permit fee increases after Raftelis study
Summary
After a multi-month rate study by Raftelis, the board adopted updates to the Building Division fee schedule to correct a projected $9.9M 2026 shortfall and restore enterprise-fund reserves; the changes are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, with ongoing CPI indexing and staff review.
Collier County commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a new building-fee schedule developed with consultant Raftelis to shore up the Building Division's enterprise fund and comply with Florida statutory limits on operating reserves.
Jamie French, director of Growth Management, and Mark Tuma of Raftelis presented the study and the recommended adjustments. The consultants said the division faces a roughly $9.9 million revenue deficiency for 2026 driven by under-recovery of allocated costs, loan repayments to other county funds (about $3.4 million), rising operating costs and changes in state inspection requirements. Raftelis recommended a front-loaded revenue adjustment of roughly 52% in 2026 followed by CPI-linked adjustments in subsequent years; the board was told the changes are designed to rebuild reserves without using general-tax revenues and to comply with Florida statute (chapter 553.87) constraints on enterprise fund carryover.
Industry groups told the board they understood the legal requirement that the building division function as an enterprise fund. Amelia Vasquez of the Collier Building Industry Association said members support a balanced approach but requested phased implementation and predictability; Bill Varian, a local contractor and DSAC chair, said the increases are sustainable averaged over 15 years and stressed the need to retain staff.
Commissioners pressed staff on the history of rate cuts and the impact of earlier policy decisions; French and the consultants described prior rate choices and the volatility of permit activity. Commissioners asked whether the Jan. 1, 2026 implementation date would give contractors sufficient lead time. Staff said changes apply only to permits filed after Jan. 1 and that software testing and vendor coordination require that lead time. The board approved the resolution adopting the new rates and directed annual review of operating reserves and periodic fee reviews every two to three years.
Implementation notes: staff will finalize the rate resolution, schedule software updates to CityView, and return any funding or technical follow-up to the commission as needed.
