Josephine County commissioners adopt new planning fees, transfer property to Cave Junction and approve supplemental budget

The Josephine County Board of County Commissioners met April 1, 2026, in Grants Pass and approved a package of administrative actions that included a new planning fee schedule, a property transfer to the City of Cave Junction, a final plat adjustment for 210 Tacoma and a supplemental county budget.

Ruth Nelson, Josephine County finance director, presented Board Order No. 2026-019 proposing a uniform procedure and revised fee schedule for Community Development (Planning). Nelson said the fees had been publicly posted in advance and, if adopted, would take effect May 1, 2026, to support implementation and administration of a new ordinance. Simon Hare of Grants Pass testified in opposition, saying higher fees could worsen housing affordability and requesting a clearer, more detailed public presentation of the schedule. The board then voted 3–0 to adopt the order, with Commissioner Colene Martin moving, Commissioner Gary Richardson seconding and both joining Chair Ron Smith in a unanimous roll-call vote.

Helen Lulich, Josephine County property manager, asked the board to approve Board Order No. 2026-012 to transfer a county-owned parcel —…