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Commission adopts 2025 building permit fees and affirms public-notice options; residents urge continued print notices
Summary
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission adopted a 2025 building permit fee schedule and a resolution listing approved public-notice posting locations, including language allowing website posting when newspaper publication is not free; a public commenter urged continued publication in the Anaconda Leader.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted unanimously to adopt a building permit fee schedule for calendar year 2025 and approved a separate resolution setting official locations for posting public notices, including the county website as an option when newspaper publication is not free of charge.
Commissioners emphasized that adopting the fee schedule was not a change to building codes but a financial schedule; one commissioner noted prior reductions to building fees designed to keep the permitting process self-supporting without creating a profit center. The motion to adopt the building permit fee schedule passed 5-0.
On the public-notice resolution, several commissioners and a public commenter urged preserving newspaper publication. Janice Hagen told the commission, “let the sunshine in,” and cited research she said shows about half of residents still get local government news from newspapers. Commissioners said they support keeping print publication as an option because some residents have difficulty navigating the county website.
The commission discussed and approved language that allows posting notices on the county website where newspaper publication would not be feasible; members said the intent is to provide multiple channels for community access while complying with recent legislative language about electronic posting.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution adopting building permit fee schedule (Resolution 25-02): adopted unanimously, 5-0. - Resolution establishing public-notice posting locations (Resolution 25-03): adopted unanimously, 5-0. Commissioners noted they will discuss continuing paid publication in the Anaconda Leader at a future work session if requested by a commissioner.
The commission also discussed the vacant-property registration proposal (Resolution 25-01) and asked the county attorney to clarify application of the standard for closed or abandoned septic systems and whether the plumbing code has been formally adopted locally. The commission recorded these clarifications for future code work rather than changing code language now.
