Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board waives county building permit fees for fire-damaged properties and commends emergency responders
Summary
The board approved a resolution waiving county building permit fees for property owners rebuilding after the March 28 fire and heard an EMS debrief on the multi-jurisdictional response, which covered an estimated 3,500 acres and involved hundreds of personnel.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to waive county building permit fees for repair and redevelopment of properties damaged in the March 28, 2026 fire.
Dan Priestley of Planning and Zoning introduced the resolution and described it as a form of county relief for property owners navigating rebuilding. "This resolution is kind of being brought forward as a way to be able to process that building permit situation and yet maybe be a gesture from the county as a form of relief," Priestley said.
Chair praised the staff initiative and thanked Priestley for proposing the policy. The board approved the waiver on a motion by Nelson, seconded by Carper.
The board also recognized emergency services' response to the March 28 incident. Drew Byers, EMS, provided a debrief: he said about 273 firefighters and 119 pieces of equipment responded from multiple jurisdictions, assistance came from three states and six counties, and the incident covered roughly 3,500 acres; there were no firefighter injuries or fatalities and one minor citizen injury. Chair and supervisors commended the interagency coordination.
The board additionally approved a resolution thanking and commending Robert Nelson for 32 years of service with Woodbury County; the resolution was read and acknowledged in the consent agenda.
