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Planning Commission warns reserves are unusually low; fees and permit timing will decide final budget
Summary
Director Steve Hunter told the committee the Planning Commission's projected carryover is roughly $99,377 — the lowest in recent years — and said the final budget depends heavily on when large building permits land during the construction season.
Director Steve Hunter presented the Versailles/Midway Planning Commission’s preliminary budget and emphasized that timing of permit revenue will determine whether the commission needs more support from the governments.
“This is the preliminary budget,” Hunter said, and explained the commission adopts it now because major fee lines and healthcare numbers remain uncertain. He highlighted a projected carryover of $99,377 and said that figure—down from historic highs—forced cuts and a modest request for an increased county appropriation.
Hunter explained building‑permit fees are the commission’s largest and most volatile revenue source. He noted building permits have produced as much as $300,000 in a strong year and as little as much lower amounts in lean years, so the commission budgets conservatively until the spring construction season clarifies collections.
The commission has reduced expenses in recent years, Hunter said, largely by moving services such as GIS and engineering to contract arrangements with the city and county. Personnel costs remain the largest category, and the commission moved to a Kentucky League of Cities/Anthem high‑deductible health plan to manage healthcare costs.
Hunter also described an ongoing discussion with the city about a potential interlocal arrangement to centralize code enforcement (a shared officer for city and county), which could alter the commission’s duties and budget if implemented. He said construction‑review fees (now 1% of bond amounts on large subdivision projects) have become a substantial revenue line compared with historical flat fees.
Commission compensation and employee raises were also discussed. Hunter said the preliminary budget includes no raises or COLA for commission staff; committee members voiced support for considering commission compensation and county COLA funding if revenue allows.
Hunter said the commission expects to finalize its budget after health‑care numbers arrive in May and after the contributor governments set appropriations; he anticipated presenting a final draft to the planning commission in June. The committee asked follow‑up questions about fee structures, caps and whether to move to value‑based permitting; Hunter said those options are under consideration.
