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Linn County preliminarily approves Planning & Development FY2027 budget amid uncertain permit revenues and several large projects
Summary
The Linn County Board of Supervisors preliminarily approved $1,984,675 in appropriations and $850,000 in projected revenues for the Planning & Development department, after staff outlined slower permit growth, a vehicle replacement request and upcoming large projects including Coggin Solar and potential data center work.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors preliminarily approved the Planning & Development department's FY2027 appropriations of $1,984,675 and projected revenues of $850,000 following a detailed presentation on Wednesday.
Charlie, a planning staff member who led the presentation, told the board that permit revenues have slowed from recent highs and currently project about $207,570 below FY26 budget projections. He said the county's prior revenue spike was driven largely by earlier Duane Arnold energy-center work and cautioned that while several large projects could increase receipts, their timing is uncertain. "We do have larger projects that haven't paid building fees yet that are going to be paying those in the future," Charlie said, adding that the county will conservatively budget $850,000 for FY27.
Charlie described three projects that could materially affect permit revenue. He said the county adopted a nuclear power zoning code this fiscal year and has received a rezoning application for the Duane Arnold Energy Center site. He also reported the Coggin solar project in northern Linn County is moving forward: "This project is 100 megawatts of renewable energy production over a 750-acre footprint," Charlie said, noting about 640 acres of panels and that dirt work could begin next spring. Finally, staff are working on a data-center zoning ordinance related to a proposed Google campus near Palo; Charlie said a water-balance study is underway in coordination with the sustainability office.
Supervisors pressed staff on whether previously approved overlay zoning required another application; Charlie said the Coggin project was approved in 2021 and the overlay remains in place. He estimated permit fees for Coggin could be similar to Duane Arnold Solar 1 and 2, which together generated roughly $300,000'00,000 in permit fees.
On capital requests, Charlie asked to replace a 2019 inspection vehicle with a used Chevy Silverado priced at $65,000. Finance staff explained vehicle purchases are prioritized through the January offer process if funding is limited.
Staff also proposed key performance indicators to improve permit turnaround: maintain a 95% response rate to zoning permits within three business days and a 95% completion target for building permits within four business days. Charlie described process changes, including faster applicant communication and clearer staff assignment, that produced prior improvements.
After the presentation and discussion the board voted to preliminarily approve the department's FY27 appropriations and revenue projection.
The board is scheduled to review the full budget adoption process in upcoming sessions; the preliminary vote does not finalize appropriations for the fiscal year.
