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Board approves online permitting contract after building official outlines fees; DTE pledges $10,000 toward implementation
Summary
The county approved updated building-permit policies, a revised fee schedule and a contract to implement online permitting; DT Energy pledged $10,000 toward integration and training costs. First-year vendor integration costs were estimated at about $11,000 with ongoing maintenance near $6,000 per year.
Presque Isle County commissioners voted Jan. 8 to modernize the building department’s permitting process, approving updated policies, an amended fee schedule and authorization to enter a contract for a cloud-based online permitting system.
County building official Rob told the board that the department’s current fees undercharge for common projects and do not reflect inspection workloads. Under the proposed fee schedule, some residential and commercial fees would rise to better align with neighboring counties; the change is intended to help the department cover inspection, plan review and field‑time costs.
Rob outlined the online permitting vendor’s pricing: integration and first‑year implementation estimated at roughly $11,000 and annual maintenance thereafter of about $6,000. He said online permitting would allow auto‑issuance for routine permits and enable contractors to upload documents, pay online and get permits faster, improving workflow and reducing field delays.
DT Energy site manager Austin Tuxbury presented a $10,000 donation to cover part of the online-permitting integration costs and said the company wants to be a long-term local partner; the check was expected to arrive in the county office around Jan. 15. The board moved to allow the building official to enter a contract with the vendor and to draft funding for the online permitting service; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from commissioners present.
Quotes: “This will make us more efficient and more accountable,” Rob said of the online system. Tuxbury added, “We’re happy to step up — this goes a little way to help in that.”
Why it matters: County officials and local builders told commissioners they want a modern permitting workflow to avoid multi‑day delays for routine work and to limit staff time spent chasing incomplete mailed or emailed applications. The board agreed the fee updates help close the county’s permit revenue gap while the donation reduces the county’s upfront integration cost.
Next steps: The building official will proceed with contracting and the county will implement the online permitting system over the next 3–6 months, with staff training and phased rollout planned.
