Jackson County roads staff propose $361 utility permit fee to cover right‑of‑way work

County roads officials proposed a new utility permit fee at a May 5, 2026 Jackson County Board of Commissioners work session, saying the charge would recover staff costs associated with permitting and oversight of major utility work in county right‑of‑way.

Steve Lambert, director of the Roads and Parks Department, and James Philp, county engineer, said roughly 85 percent of right‑of‑way permits processed by the department involve utility work such as electricity, water, cable and fiber‑optic expansion, which creates significant workload for engineering staff. They told the Board that recent legislative changes now allow counties to recover costs for these permits.

The department presented a proposed fee of $361, calculated from a detailed time‑and‑position study. Lambert said emergency repairs and routine maintenance would be exempt from the fee; major projects in the right‑of‑way would require a permit and the fee. He also said the department plans to work with utility companies to clarify exemptions, integrate the fee structure, and maintain positive relationships while ensuring utilities meet County standards.

Commissioners Rick Dyer and Randy Sparacino expressed support for the department moving forward with establishing the fee and with outreach to utility providers. No formal motion or vote to adopt the fee was recorded in the work session minutes; staff will continue to develop implementation details and consult with affected utilities.

Next steps: Roads and Parks staff will refine the fee schedule, clarify exemption criteria with utility companies, and return with recommended implementation steps and proposed code or policy changes if needed.