County staff propose modest planning and zoning fee changes, including $25 zoning‑permit review fee

County planning staff presented recommended revisions to the planning and zoning fee schedule that staff said are largely housekeeping, clarify how fees are calculated and would modestly increase revenues.

Mr. Graves told the board the package of changes is "estimated to result in approximately 13,500 additional revenue," attributing most of the impact to two items: a correction and unification of plat review fees and a proposed $25 zoning permit review fee charged alongside building‑permit fees. He said many current fees have not been updated in 10–20 years and that some line items (for example, traffic impact analysis and firm map confirmation) are now handled differently.

Key proposals and clarifications - Unify plat review fees so similar reviews no longer carry different charges. - Add a $25 zoning permit review fee, collected during the building permit process because planning and zoning review is part of that workflow. - Remove or relocate five erosion and sediment control related fees from chapter 2 (administration) into chapter 38 (environment), where staff said they belong. - Remove small, legacy cent amounts and perform other housekeeping edits to clarify when and how acreage or per‑acre fees apply.

Board members pressed staff on rate derivation, exemptions and timing. Mr. Graves said there is no single state‑mandated fee schedule; his team reviewed peer localities and noted that some state code sections set maximums for specific fees but that these proposed amounts comply with state limits. On exemptions (nonprofits, farmers) he said no specific exemption system exists in the current code and that would have to be added by ordinance if the board wanted to pursue it.

The board took no formal action; staff said the item could be returned for code amendment language and a future vote if the board chooses.