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Commissioners back extending Reduced Rebuild fee waivers through June 30, 2026, and consider 100% bridge waivers
Summary
Staff reported about 6,000 reduced-fee permit applications since June 1, with 472 meeting program criteria and a county revenue impact of roughly $26,000; commissioners agreed in principle to extend the Reduced Rebuild Program and to apply a 100% waiver to roads and bridges through June 30, 2026, and directed staff to add an extension to the consent agenda.
Buncombe County staff briefed the board on the Reduced Rebuild Program and commissioners agreed to add an extension of the fee-waiver program to the consent agenda and to pursue a broader waiver policy through June 30, 2026.
Matthew Baker, who presented the update, said the program (active June 1) provided a 50% reduction on permitting fees for primary residences damaged in the storm and that the program was designed to target those most in need. Baker reported roughly 6,000 applications for reduced permits since June 1; about 472 of those applications (approximately 8%) met the program's specific criteria, and the county's revenue impact to date was about $26,000.
Baker said the reductions disproportionately assisted households with assessed values under $500,000. Commissioners discussed expanding the program to include state-requested bridge waivers; staff explained the state asked counties to consider a 100% waiver for certain residential bridges and the county has options: allow the program to expire Dec. 31, extend it as currently written, or extend and expand scope and waiver level. Commissioners favored a date certain through June 30, 2026, to align with the fiscal year and indicated support for a 100% waiver for roads and bridges; staff said Air Quality board approval would also be required for any demolition-fee waivers and that a brief lapse in some fee types could occur because the Air Quality board cannot meet before mid-March without a special session.
Board action: commissioners instructed staff to add the extension and scope changes to tonight's consent agenda so a resolution can be prepared and ratified at a later meeting. Staff will return with proposed resolution language, fee-impact analysis and any required interagency approvals.
Next steps: staff will prepare the resolution to extend the program through June 30, 2026, specify which fees are waived (roads/bridges and other permit categories), and route required approvals (including Air Quality board) before final ratification.
