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Building and Planning seeks higher valuation base to boost permit revenue, fund one FTE
Summary
Building and Planning Director Tracy Jackson asked the board to let staff update building valuation to an ICC August 2025 benchmark used by neighboring jurisdictions; staff estimate about $200,000 additional revenue that could fund a full FTE and improved turnaround for permit processing.
Tracy Jackson, identified in the record as the Building and Planning representative, asked the board to allow the department to update the building valuation schedule it uses to calculate permit fees, saying county valuations lag nearby jurisdictions and adjusting to the ICC August 2025 average would raise permit‑valuation intake and help cover staff costs.
Jackson told commissioners that the department operates as an enterprise fund and covers building-plan review, permitting and inspections; she said the department currently charges a building valuation factor of about $123.68 and that comparable jurisdictions use an August 2025 ICC average of roughly $170.8. Using last year’s numbers, Jackson estimated updating valuations could bring in about $200,000 more in revenue and cover the entire cost of a new FTE (a loaded salary estimate between $80,000 and $125,000 depending on certification level).
Jackson said the increase would allow the department to hire another code technician or plans examiner to shorten permit-turnaround times (the department's current permit backlog is about two weeks) and to provide succession coverage for several staff nearing retirement. She stressed the change would require a public hearing before any fee schedule change is adopted.
Commissioners said they were generally open to considering valuation changes if the department can demonstrate the change covers costs and improves service without unnecessarily increasing fees. Chair said he preferred to see how the updated fee schedule covers the additional workload and asked staff to return with specifics.
Why it matters: Permit valuations determine fee revenue that pays for plan review and inspection services and can affect development costs. Jackson argued the update would let the fee‑supported enterprise fund add capacity without drawing on the general fund.
What happens next: Staff will prepare a fee-change proposal and supporting cost analysis and return to the board; if the board approves a valuation update, the county must hold a public hearing before adopting new valuation-based fees.
